Sammy Smith

The 19-year-old had a great rookie campaign with Joe Gibbs Racing last season. Smith would grab one win and 15 Top-10 finishes to wind up last year at sixth in the final driver standings. Even after those initial successes, Smith would be on the move. He'd sign a deal with JR Motorsports to drive Josh Berry's No. 8 Chevrolet as the veteran moves up to the Cup Series full-time in 2024. Smith showed just a sample of his talent in his first full Xfinity Series campaign, now we'll get to see what the shift to JRM will do for his second full season. Berry was not Earth-shattering in this same car last season, but we only have to look back to 2021 and 2022 to see five combined victories for Berry in this same car. JRM will give Smith the tools to succeed, and at just 19-years-old, there's a lot of raw and untapped potential in this young driver.

Smith made a successful, part-time debut in this car in the Xfinity Series last season. Now he gets the full-time driver promotion at JGR and will take over the No. 18 Toyota full-time. With that will come all the money, sponsors and resources an 18-year-old driver needs to succeed. Smith nabbed just three Top 10's in his nine starts last season, but gained valuable seat time and experience. He's been a race winner and champion in the lower divisions of NASCAR, so Smith has the driving talent. This transition will take a bit, but he should begin to get some traction early in the upcoming season. Smith and crew chief Jeff Meendering make an intriguing combination.