Chandler Smith will enter the Round of 8 race at Martinsville Speedway in essentially a must-win situation. This is not ideal for his competitors considering that he doesn't have to worry about the consequences of his actions.
Videos by FanBuzz
"For somebody that don't have a job next year in the industry, I'm probably going to be working for my dad on the construction side, just because of how some things are unfortunately playing out," Smith told CW Sports after finishing 13th.
"I feel like I don't owe anybody anything going to Martinsville."
Smith, like multiple other drivers, does not know where he will race next season. As he told media members on pit road after the race, all of the "good seats" are gone except those that require a lot of money.
Not having a seat means that Smith doesn't have to worry about angering any potential teammates. He even acknowledged that he told crew chief Jeff Meendering that he hopes the No. 81's bumper is "reinforced" next weekend at Martinsville.
Updated @NASCAR_Xfinity Series Playoffs standings after Homestead-Miami.
Who will lock in the final two spots next week in Martinsville? pic.twitter.com/Ow9rL0yDJj
— The CW Sports (@TheCW_Sports) October 26, 2024
Smith is closing out his second full season in the Xfinity Series while driving for his second team. He began his tenure with Kaulig Racing last season, and he made the playoffs after winning at Richmond Raceway.
Smith departed the Chevrolet-backed organization after one season and a ninth-place finish in the championship standings. He returned to Toyota Gazoo Racing North America and joined Joe Gibbs Racing to drive the No. 81 GR Supra.
The Georgia native won two races this season — one at Phoenix and another at Richmond. This helped him return to the playoffs. His nine consecutive top-10 finishes — eight top-fives — leading up to Homestead helped him accumulate enough points to challenge for a spot in the final playoff round.
Now, however, Smith is 28 points below the cutline with one race remaining in the Round of 8. To make the Championship 4, he will likely have to win. Other drivers above the cutline could experience issues that knock them out of the race early, but there is no guarantee.
The Joe Gibbs Racing driver knows that he will have to make his own luck at the short track where Ty Gibbs once sent teammate Brandon Jones into the wall to lock up the win.
"All craps will not be given at Martinsville," Smith said.
