MOORESVILLE, N.C.: Chandler Smith will graduate to the NASCAR Xfinity Series full-time next season as the replacement driver for A.J. Allmendinger at Kaulig Racing, the organization announced Wednesday.
“I’m really excited to have an opportunity like this for my rookie year in the NASCAR Xfinity Series,” said Smith. “Kaulig Racing has grown from a small team to a multi-series, powerhouse team in just a few short years. I’m honored to take over the No. 16 car that has had so much success these last couple of years.”
Smith has spent the last two seasons competing full-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series for Kyle Busch Motorsports earning five wins and is a serious threat for the series championship next month at Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway.
The 20-year-old driver has quickly climbed the Motorsports ladder with success in bandoleros and Late Models, he was recruited by Toyota’s driver development program which offered him opportunities in the ARCA Menards Series with Venturini Motorsports and select starts in Trucks beginning in 2019 with KBM.
Success on both platforms including 10 wins in 35 ARCA starts for Venturini earned him a championship Truck Series run with KBM in 2021 where he earned his first career victory at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway. He also won the season-finale at Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway last November.
This season with leadership from crew chief Danny Stockman, Smith has continued to accelerate his racing endeavors with three triumphs at Las Vegas (Nv.) Motor Speedway, Pocono (Pa.) Raceway and most recently at Richmond (Va.) Raceway.
Overall, in 59 Truck Series starts, Smith has one pole, five wins, 22 top-five, 32 top-10 finishes and more than 700 laps led.
Heading into the penultimate Truck Series race of the season on Oct. 22, Smith is the championship leader and 30 points above the cutoff. Bristol winner Ty Majeski is the only current lock for the Championship 4 Truck Series race on Nov. 4, 2022.
The Talking Rock, Ga. native made two NASCAR Xfinity Series starts earlier this season with Sam Hunt Racing at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway and Dover Motor Speedway respectively and earned a career-best 21st place finish at Dover’s Monster Mile.
He will return to the organization in two weeks at Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway where he will pull double-duty for Sam Hunt Racing and Kyle Busch Motorsports.
“Chandler Smith is a kid who we see a ton of potential in at Kaulig Racing,” said Chris Rice, president of Kaulig Racing. “We take pride in giving kids like Chandler an opportunity to compete for wins and be a steppingstone in their career.
“It’s been exciting to see what Chandler has done in the truck series over two seasons, and we think competing for Kaulig Racing is the perfect next step for both Chandler and our team.”
Since the team’s inception in 2016, Kaulig Racing has recorded 18 wins, 95 top fives, 214 top-10 finishes and has led 2106 laps. Smith will take over the No. 16 Chevrolet currently fielded by the two-time, regular-season champion, AJ Allmendinger.
“Getting to know Chandler has been great, and we are excited to bring more young, talented drivers to Kaulig Racing to help build our program,” said team owner, Matt Kaulig. “We are excited to win many trophies together over the next couple of years!”
Off the track, Smith has been busy too. This summer, Smith and wife Kenzie welcomed son Chandler Smith Jr. on August 4.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
