This interview took place on Thursday, March 9, two days before Sammy Smith‘s first career NASCAR Xfinity Series win at Phoenix Raceway.
It was always going to be a tall order for someone at Joe Gibbs Racing to fill Ty Gibbs’ shoes after his success up the ladder, but 18-year-old Sammy Smith has done just that … and more.
Smith took over Gibbs’ No. 18 car in the ARCA Menards Series in 2022, and he proceeded to score six wins and 15 top-five finishes in 16 starts: a total which included a dominant performance at Salem Speedway where he led all 200 laps. Smith also competed in the ARCA East Series under the Toyota umbrella, and he scored eight wins and back-to-back championships in 2021 and 2022.
The Xfinity Series soon came calling, and Smith made nine starts in 2022 with a best finish of third at Watkins Glen International in preparation for a full-time schedule in 2023.
A driver skipping the Craftsman Truck Series to compete in Xfinity is uncommon, but not without precedent. And in Smith’s case, he has quickly adapted to the cars and has had fun competing in them.
“[The transition] has been good,” Smith told Frontstretch. “I ran a couple of weeks last year, and I’ve been very fortunate with Pilot Flying J, TMC, Allstate Peterbilt group, Toyota and everyone that’s been helping me.
“I’ve been very fortunate to be able to make that jump, and I love racing Xfinity cars. They’re probably the most fun car I’ve ever ran. It’s definitely difficult with all the competition and the new tracks, but I enjoy it.”
Smith raced confidently at both Auto Club Speedway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway, tracks that he hadn’t competed at in either NASCAR or ARCA before the start of 2023. And whether it’s new tracks or familiar stomping grounds, he is up for all the challenges.
“I’m excited about everything,” Smith said. “A lot of new tracks coming up for me but also a lot of tracks that I’ve been on in past cars, so I’m excited to get Phoenix this weekend, start back at Atlanta and then go to COTA [Circuit of the Americas] too.”
But there is also one track that he wishes was on the schedule: Iowa Speedway.
As a native of Johnston, Iowa — a suburb of Des Moines — Smith grew up watching NASCAR’s biannual trips to the Hawkeye State.
“It would mean a lot [for Iowa to return],” Smith said. “I used to go watch twice every year when they were racing there. I really enjoy that I was able to race there the last two years in ARCA, and it’s a really fun racing track.
“I think it would be an awesome race for Xfinity, Trucks or Cup to go back. So yeah, I wish I could go back, but as of now they’re not, so hopefully that changes.”
Even with NASCAR’s popularity concentrated primarily in the South, Iowa has produced several winners in NASCAR’s highest levels. Brett Moffitt won 12 races and a championship in the Truck Series, while Michael Annett was the first Iowan to win in the Xfinity Series in 2019. It’s been a long time since an Iowan won in the Cup Series, however, as the state’s final win came with Tiny Lund in 1971.
Smith ultimately hopes to add his name at the highest level as well.
“It would be cool,” Smith said. “As of now my goal is to try to go win Xfinity races, and hopefully one day I’ll be able to go win Cup races and hopefully be on both those lists as a winner. It would be something pretty cool to add my name to.”
Smith has his eyes set on the Xfinity Series for now, and he’s looking to maximize his results each week in addition to picking up wins.
“Yeah, I think consistency is the biggest thing,” Smith said. “Xfinity is a long season, and you got to be able to manage your days. If you have a winning car, then go out and try to win. If you have a fifth-place car, try to finish fifth or a little bit better than that.
“Don’t try and make a fifth-place car a winning car. I’ve obviously been trying really hard these last couple weeks, and we’ve had fast cars and they’re running good, but it’s unfortunate situations that have taken us out.
The No. 18 team showed speed in the first three races of the season, and Smith led 14 laps at Auto Club in February. However, the team was left with finishes of 19th, 19th and 17th after spins. Smith already knows how he can improve on those days.
“I think just [to] not beat myself,” Smith said. “I think I’ve been trying probably too hard. We were running Daytona and got wrecked there, and then at [Auto Club], I put myself in a little bit bad of an aero spot and got wrecked. Then last week at [Las] Vegas, I was coming to the pits too hot and spun out, so it kind of ruined our day there. Just got to be smart and make sure I do my job on the track and then not make any mistakes in these things.”
Smith was ready to look forward to try and win the next week at Phoenix, one of his favorite tracks.
“So we’re going to come to a track I enjoy the most in Phoenix and hopefully get our first one,” Smith said.
And indeed he did.
About the author
Stephen Stumpf is the NASCAR Content Director for Frontstretch and is a three-year veteran of the site. His weekly columns include “Stat Sheet” and “4 Burning Questions.” He also writes commentary, contributes to podcasts, edits articles and is frequently at the track for on-site coverage.
Can find on Twitter @stephen_stumpf.
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