NASCAR Silly Season: Aric Almirola reflects on Chandler Smith’s "stressful" battle for a 2025 ride despite undeniable talent

NASCAR driver Chandler Smith has had a strong season in the Xfinity Series with Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR). However, Smith confirmed last week that he has no team lined up for the next season due to a lack of sponsorship.

In a recent media interaction, teammate Aric Almirola related to Smith’s situation and shared that he raced most of his career on one-year contracts.

"There’s always the chance that it’s going to end at the end of the year. And it’s hard. Right now, it’s hard to come up with money. It’s hard to just do it on talent alone. Chandler is a great race car driver. He’s a talented race car driver. And I’m rooting for him to get something figured out and have an opportunity next year," said Almirola.

He also talked about the stress of racing with such contracts and the pressure of finding sponsors.

“starting to put the pieces of the puzzle together, the sponsorship, having conversations about contracts—all those things are a distraction. They’re stressful, a distraction. And you have to keep in mind, this is not only what we do. We love to drive race cars, but it’s also the way we provide for our family,” Almirola added.

22-year-old Smith has had two wins this season, at Phoenix and Richmond. He was eliminated from the playoffs after last week's race at Homestead-Miami.

---

"I could be working for my dad’s construction business" - Chandler Smith on his future

Chandler Smith currently drives the No. 81 Toyota Supra for JGR. However, the team has filled all their spots for next year, leaving Smith without a ride.

Last weekend, Smith shared that he might even work in his family’s construction business if he can not find a team.

"I don’t have a ride next year, Bob. I could be working for my dad’s construction business, and I could be hanging it up at the end of this year. There’s not really any seats left open. The only seats left open. You got to bring a big, big, big pocketbook with you. And I don’t have… I don’t have a big pocketbook," Smith told Fox Sports' Bob Pockrass.

Smith raced for Kaulig Racing's No. 16 last year with sponsorship from Quick Tie for the majority of the season. However, this season, the company headquartered in Florida only sponsored him for 15 races.

Smith's chances of moving forward in the NASCAR Xfinity Series championship ended at Martinsville Speedway this Saturday after a collision with Cole Custer late in the race.