Sammy Smith will not return to Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s JR Motorsports for the 2027 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series campaign. The 22-year-old driver announced his upcoming exit via social media, confirming that his tenure behind the wheel of the No. 8 Chevrolet will conclude at the end of the 2026 postseason.
Smith took over the No. 8 ride at JR Motorsports before the 2024 season after making his full-time series debut with Joe Gibbs Racing. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Smith expressed appreciation for team owners Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kelley Earnhardt Miller, and the entire JRM organization. He said:
Thanks for the submission!
“New chapter. Same mindset. After this season, I’ll be moving on from @JRMotorsports and into a new chapter. I’m incredibly grateful for everyone at JRM who has been part of the last three years. Being a part of this No. 8 team has given me so much to be proud of, and I’ll always be thankful for the people who have helped me get to this point.”
“But the job isn’t finished yet. My full focus is on this championship run, for my team, our partners and everyone who has believed in me along the way. Nothing is given. Everything is earned. I’m excited for what’s next and for the opportunity ahead.”
Across four full-time seasons in NASCAR’s secondary division, Smith has accumulated three career victories, securing his inaugural win at Phoenix Raceway in 2023 with JGR, followed by triumphs at Talladega Superspeedway (2024) and Rockingham Speedway (2025) in the JRM machine.
Despite remaining winless through the opening 23 races of the 2026 campaign, Smith’s consistent performance has secured his place inside the playoff grid.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. praises Rajah Caruth as JR Motorsports eye 2027 driver lineup shift
Speaking on an episode of The Dale Jr. Download, Dale Earnhardt Jr. praised 24-year-old Rajah Caruth following another strong performance, revealing that negotiations to bring the Craftsman Truck Series standout into the JRM fold for 2027 are making significant headway.
Dale Jr. didn’t hide his enthusiasm for Caruth’s progression and the ongoing contract discussions behind closed doors. He said:
“Rajah did an awesome job this weekend. Also looking really promising for his deal to come together for next year. A lot of work to do to figure out where we’re going to line up and end up for 2027, but excited to see how this Chase plays out and whether we’re going to be going to the banquet or not.”
While the deal with Rajah Caruth isn’t finalized, Dale Jr. made a positive statement on the young driver’s future with JR Motorsports.
Edited by Sashwat Deo