'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
With NASCAR fielding several multi-generation drivers, similar surnames are common in the sport. However, that isn’t always the case. One instance is between Xfinity Series drivers Chandler Smith and Sammy Smith, who may share the same last name but are not brothers.
Chandler Smith is a 22-year-old Xfinity driver piloting the No. 81 Toyota Supra for Joe Gibbs Racing. On the other hand, Sammy Smith is the younger unrelated Xfinity driver at age 20, competing in the second-tier series in the No. 8 Chevrolet Camaro for JR Motorsports.
Both drivers are currently below the elimination line ahead of the Round of 8 finale at Martinsville Speedway. The upcoming race could be the last time they compete against each other in NASCAR as Chandler doesn’t have a seat for next year.
Trending
For now, let’s get to know more about these two Xfinity Series drivers.
Chandler Smith
Chandler Smith, born on June 26, 2002, is a Talking Rock, Georgia native who started racing at age four with racing Quarter Midgets. At the age of 10, he competed in Bandolero, an entry-level racing series where he won multiple national championships.
Smith made a significant stride in the stock car racing scene after entering the ARCA Menard Series in 2018, scoring two wins and six top-5 finishes. He moved to the Craftsman Truck Series the next year and recorded his first NASCAR win at Bristol Motor Speedway in 2021.
The now 22-year-old driver joined the Xfinity Series in 2023 with Kaulig Racing. He immediately made a mark as a rookie by winning the Richmond race in April, finishing 0.298 seconds ahead of John Hunter Nemechek.
A year later, Joe Gibbs Racing signed him to drive the No. 81 Xfinity car. So far, the Georgia native amassed two wins, 15 top-5s, and 20 top-10s this season.
However, Chandler Smith said he would work in his father’s construction business if no teams were to give him a seat for 2025. He is the son of Mike Smith, the owner of Smith Construction Services, LLC, based in his hometown of Georgia.
Sammy Smith
Meanwhile, Sammy Smith, born on June 4, 2004, is the son of Kurt Smith, the business manager of former Xfinity Series driver Michael Annett. The Xfinity retiree’s father, Harold Annett, gave Sammy the opportunity to drive a go-kart for the first time at age 10.
His early racing days include a three-year run in Legends Cars where he won 31 races and a Late Model racing stint starting in 2019. The Iowa native won his debut season in ARCA Menards Series East with Joe Gibbs Racing in 2021 before moving to the now-discontinued Kyle Busch Motorsports the following year.
Smith ran his first full-time drive in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with JGR in 2023 and won the Rookie of the Year award. The following year, the now 20-year-old driver signed with JR Motorsports to drive the No. 8 car.
So far this season, the driver has secured one Xfinity Series win at Talladega Superspeedway, along with six top-5 and 15 top-10 finishes.
Sammy Smith and Chandler Smith will share the track possibly for the final time at the National Debt Relief 250 from Martinsville Speedway on November 2.
