AUSTIN, Texas: Sammy Smith continues to turn heads across NASCAR.
In the opening six races of the 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series season, Sammy Smith has opened the eyes of his peers on the track and captured the attention of others in his quest to capture the NASCAR Xfinity Series championship in his rookie season.
And to some, it’s not a surprise at all.
The two-time ARCA Menards Series East champion graduated to a nine-race Xfinity Series schedule last season where he showcased the speed and an evolving craft with a third-place finish at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International and additional top-10 finishes at Kansas Speedway and Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway respectively.
This year, Smith has already won.
Picking up his first career victory at Phoenix earlier this month, the Johnston, Iowa native has already assured him an Xfinity Series Playoff spot.
On Saturday, aboard his No. 18 Pilot Flying J Toyota Supra, Smith showcased his ability further by wrestling a demanding Circuit of the Americas road course like a veteran with consistency and patience that was rewarded with a fourth-place finish.
“it was a good day,” said Smith. “I feel like we have a lot of room for improvement – car-wise and driver-wise. But it was a good day for our Pilot Flying J Toyota GR Supra. We had a good showing, just have to continue to work on our road course stuff!
“Thanks to Pilot Flying J, TMC, Allstate Peterbuilt Group, Golden Harvest, Renda Group, Toyota, JGR (Joe Gibbs Racing) – everybody that helps get us here and gives us fast race cars.”
Although COTA brought Smith just his second top-10 finish of the season, it came at the right time.
Saturday’s race served as a qualifier for this year’s first Dash4Cash race at Richmond (Va.) Raceway on April 1.
Smith will have the opportunity to cash a $100,000 check if he is the highest-finishing eligible driver in the ToyotaCare 250.
The 18-year-old will look to fend off challengers Justin Allgaier, Daniel Hemric and Sam Mayer for the bonus at a track where Smith has yet to turn a lap in NASCAR competition.
In order to challenge, Smith says he needs to clean up some mistakes before the April 1 race.
“Yeah, that’s cool,” express Smith about the Dash4Cash program. “I feel good about Richmond next week, but today we fought a little bit of car balance. I’ve got to clean some things up and work a little bit on the car.”
With 26 races remaining in the Xfinity Series schedule, Smith sits seventh in the Xfinity championship standings, but third amongst drivers with a victory.
His worst finish this season is 19th twice – in the opening two races of the season at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway and Auto Club (Calif.) Speedway respectively. \
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01 or email at: [email protected]
