Chandler Smith ended the 2024 season facing the possibility of working construction. Now, however, he closes out the year by announcing a deal with a new team.
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According to a press release, Smith will join Front Row Motorsports for the 2025 Craftsman Truck Series season. He will drive a second entry for the team as it expands. Smith will be teammates with Layne Riggs, who returns after a two-win rookie season.
"I'm excited to join Front Row Motorsports truck program," Smith said in a statement. "They are a top contender in the Truck Series and have proven so with championships and wins.
"I like what they are building here and am honored to have the opportunity to add to it. We are getting a bit of a late start, but I am excited about the caliber of talent we are talking to in being a part of this program for 2025."
We are excited to welcome @CSmith_Racing to Front Row Motorsports, and expand our @NASCAR_Trucks program to 2 trucks. pic.twitter.com/hdilazksS1
— Front Row Motorsports (@Team_FRM) December 20, 2024
Smith is no stranger to the Craftsman Truck Series. He made his debut with four starts for Kyle Busch Motorsports in 2019, and he won the pole at Iowa Speedway in his debut. Smith posted three top-five finishes and four top-10s in this partial season.
The Georgia native made 12 more Truck Series starts in 2020 and then he joined KBM full-time in 2021. Smith made the playoffs as a rookie and finished eighth in the standings after a two-win campaign. He also won Rookie of the Year.
Smith returned to the Truck Series in 2022 and won three more races. He reached the Championship 4 and ended the year third in the standings. Front Row Motorsports driver Zane Smith won the title.
The 2023 season saw a significant change in Smith's life. He left Toyota Gazoo Racing North America and the Truck Series. He joined Chevrolet and moved to Kaulig Racing for the Xfinity Series season. He won one race and ended the season ninth in the championship standings.
Smith departed Kaulig after one season, but he remained in the Xfinity Series. He joined Joe Gibbs Racing and reunited with Toyota. Smith won two races and reached the Round of 8. He ended the season fifth in the standings while JR Motorsports driver Justin Allgaier won the title.
Smith will now return to the Truck Series while joining Ford Performance for the first time in his career. He will suit up for one of the sport's most competitive teams while continuing to pursue his first NASCAR championship.
