JR Motorsports should target Sammy Smith for Xfinity Series in 2024

JR Motorsports should target this top NASCAR prospect for the organization’s Xfinity Series program in 2024.

[autotag]JR Motorsports[/autotag] has at least one opening in its NASCAR Xfinity Series lineup for the 2024 season after the announcement of Josh Berry’s departure to Stewart-Haas Racing. In all reality, that will be one open seat as Sam Mayer and Brandon Jones are locked into contracts while Justin Allgaier should return to the No. 7 car if he doesn’t receive an opportunity elsewhere.

Therefore, the organization needs to replace Berry in the No. 8 car and there is a perfect partnership that is not being talked about enough. [autotag]Sammy Smith[/autotag] currently drives the No. 18 Xfinity car for Joe Gibbs Racing and is getting closer to finalizing his 2024 plans. When asked about a percentage chance of returning to Joe Gibbs Racing, Smith declined to answer and wanted to focus on the playoffs.

Could the Joe Gibbs Racing driver be available? If so, Smith would be a slam-dunk option for JR Motorsports and one that would represent a long-term situation. The 19-year-old driver has sponsorship with Pilot Flying J, which has a strong relationship with JR Motorsports. Michael Annett used to carry the company on the No. 1 Xfinity car before his retirement.

Smith is one of NASCAR’s top prospects and Toyota letting him walk away would be very, very shocking. The Iowa native has won in his rookie Xfinity Series season but has also been involved in several accidents. Still, Smith is only 19 years old so this should be the expectation. JR Motorsports would be picking up a massive talent and one that could lead them far into the future.

Smith’s path to the NASCAR Cup Series would be through Joe Gibbs Racing, 23XI Racing, or Legacy Motor Club with Toyota; however, Chevrolet is a murky one with Hendrick Motorsports being the top team with no open seats. Perhaps, this could be the perfect situation for JR Motorsports to make the jump to the Cup Series, whether that remains by themselves or with another partner.

Let’s just say Smith breaks out, as expected, and dominates the Xfinity Series. JR Motorsports would be able to wait on joining the Cup Series and Smith would be the perfect driver. Not only would the NASCAR organization have an elite talent, but it would also have significant sponsorship with Pilot Flying J, which likely follows him wherever he goes now.

This sets up Smith and JR Motorsports for dominance in the Xfinity Series and a long-term plan for a Cup Series program. It would be the perfect partnership and one that makes sense more than any other possible situation that has been brought up in the past for the race team. If JR Motorsports wants to go Cup Series racing, acquiring Smith might be the best opportunity.

Sure, this wouldn’t happen until 2025 or 2026 at the earliest but drivers with the talent and sponsorship of Smith are rare finds. JR Motorsports would be playing the short and long game, which is one they would not likely lose if they somehow snagged arguably Toyota’s best NASCAR prospect.