A surprising exit from the No. 8 Chevrolet
Sammy Smith announced that he will not be behind the wheel of the No. 8 Chevrolet for JR Motorsports in 2026, bringing an end to a partnership that has yielded two victories at Rockingham Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway. The move follows a season in which Smith consistently finished between fourth and ninth in the NASCAR O'Reilly Series point standings, marking his best performance to date.
Despite a career that has seen him finish no lower than 19th in 2026 and a recent eighth‑place finish in the overall standings, Smith said he was looking for new challenges beyond the current program. His consistent presence in the No. 8 car made him one of only two drivers to run the full schedule for the team this year.
JR Motorsports has not yet named a replacement, but internal chatter points to Sam Mayer as a strong candidate. Mayer, who drove for the organization from 2022 through 2024, is rumored to be returning after a stint elsewhere. The team also has Carson Kvapil slated to pilot the No. 1 Chevrolet and Rajah Caruth in the No. 88 Chevrolet as part of a four‑driver roster for the upcoming season.
Meanwhile, Justin Allgaier secured a contract extension that will keep him with the organization through 2027. The extension is framed as a move to chase a second championship, adding a layer of stability to the lineup while the team evaluates its driver composition.
The 2026 O'Reilly Series finale is set for Friday night at Daytona International Speedway, where the remaining drivers will battle for position ahead of the next chapter. The race will take place at the historic track in Florida, a venue that has already witnessed some of Smith's most memorable wins.