Smithley began his racing career in 2007, his sophomore year in high school, in Bandolero cars at Atlanta Motor Speedway and Lanier National Speedway, and won the rookie of the year in 2008. He credits being cast in a school play as a freshman as giving him the confidence needed to race.[1] He moved up to Legends car racing with Peachtree City Golf Carts after having his golf cart stolen and buying a new one there. Smithley credits that relationship as what kept him in racing past Bandoleros, as his family did not have money to advance to Legends.[1] He was chosen to be part of the Richard Petty Driver Search in his first year after high school.[2]
Growing up, Dale Jarrett and Carl Edwards were two of Smithley's role models. Smithley was attracted to Jarrett at a young age because of his paint scheme, which depicted an American flag.[1]
ARCA Racing Series
Smithley competed in three events in 2013, driving Derrike Cope's cars. His first start, at Pocono Raceway, was Smithley's first stock car race.[3] His one start in 2014 was an 18th at Talladega for Wes Gonder. In 2015, his one start for Rick Ware was hampered by engine problems.[4][5][6]
Craftsman Truck Series
Smithley made his Truck Series debut at his home track, Atlanta Motor Speedway, driving the No. 63 Chevrolet Silverado for MB Motorsports. He made three more starts in the 2015 season, scoring a high finish of 14th at Michigan.[7] He returned to Atlanta with MB Motorsports for his first start of 2016, finishing 18th.[8]
In March 2019, Smithley returned to the series at Texas Motor Speedway, driving the No. 42 for Chad Finley Racing; the run was part of an effort by Smithley to race in all three NASCAR national series in one weekend.[9] The following year, he signed with Niece Motorsports for the Charlotte Truck event.[10]
On February 16, 2016, it was announced that Smithley would race for JD Motorsports, driving the No. 0 Chevrolet Camaro, and would also compete for the NASCAR Rookie of the Year honors.[12] Although the original agreement was only for three races,[13] he ran every race except the PowerShares QQQ 300. Finishing 18th in series points, he finished in the top 15 in both restrictor plate races, including one at Talladega Superspeedway. Smithley cracked the top 20 five times outside of plate tracks, but troubles at road courses (such as running the bus stop at Watkins Glen, resulting in an engine failure) put a slight damper on his season.[14] Another incident at Talladega left Chris Cockrum mad at Smithley; Smithley turned Cockrum off Turn 2, collecting Joey Gase in the process. Cockrum in the infield after the wreck accused Smithley of not knowing how to race at restrictor plate tracks.[15] Smithley, discussing his Wikipedia page in a 2018 podcast, shared his side of the story, claiming Cockrum moved up and there was only "slight contact" that led to the wreck.[16]
Smithley returned full-time to JD Motorsports in 2017. He ran all the races so far except Chicagoland, where he ran in MBM Motorsports' No. 40 car to make room for Vinnie Miller, who was making his series debut.[17] He scored his first two Xfinity top-10 finishes, at Daytona and Iowa, and led his first Xfinity Series lap at Talladega.[18] The rest of the season didn't go as well in a self-described "sophomore slump".[19] Besides driving, Smithley has also undertaken a publicist-like role within his team, calling companies before races each week to see if they would like to sponsor him.[3] He has opened a personal LLC to help with the finances of sponsorship, mainly taxes.[19]
On February 7, 2018, Smithley was announced to be returning in the 0 car for the 2018 season. In the season opener, Smithley overcame a spin to score his first NASCAR top five, coming in fifth.[20] He also switched crew chiefs, bringing Wayne Carroll on board.[1] It was then announced two days after the race that Smithley would switch numbers with fellow JD Motorsports driver Matt Mills for the next two races, with Smithley taking Mills' No. 15 and Mills taking Smithley's No. 0.[21] Talking about life at-track in summer 2018, Smithley said that he does not like to make friends with other Xfinity Series regulars, since in previous experiences, making friends had made him less aggressive and more willing to cut other racers' breaks.[19]
Smithley returned to JDM in 2019.[22] For throwback weekend at Darlington Raceway, Smithley drove a tribute paint scheme to MB Motorsports owner Mike Mittler, who died earlier in 2019. Mittler gave Smithley his first opportunity in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.[23]
On May 24, 2022, Austin Konenski from Sportsnaut revealed that Smithley would drive the No. 36 car for DGM Racing in the race at Charlotte.[25] DGM had announced that Alex Labbé, who had driven the car in every race that year except for the season-opener at Daytona, would not be running that race due to not being able to find a sponsor.[26] Smithley's entry with DGM had an alliance with Rick Ware Racing. Smithley made his second Xfinity Series start of 2022 at Kansas in September in the No. 5 for B. J. McLeod Motorsports after Matt Mills, who was scheduled to drive the car, got the flu earlier in the week.[27]
On November 1, 2022, it was announced that Smithley would run full-time for B. J. McLeod Motorsports, driving the No. 78 Chevrolet, although it was later announced that he would drive the No. 99 instead.[28][29] After failing to qualify for Daytona and Auto Club, and finishing 36th at Las Vegas, he was released from the team. Smithley then drove the No. 91 Chevrolet for DGM Racing at Phoenix, and was announced that he would run multiple races in the entry, although it would be his only start for the team that year.[30] One week later, it was revealed that Smithley would return to JD Motorsports, this time in the No. 4 Chevrolet, replacing Bayley Currey, for the remainder of the schedule, although he only ran select races with a best finish of sixteenth at Talladega.[31]
On February 13, 2024, it was announced that Smithley would run the No. 6 for JD in the first four races of the 2024 season.[32] He would remain with the team until they filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy following the race at Pocono Raceway. He would run the remainder of the season on a limited schedule driving the No. 45 for Alpha Prime Racing and the No. 53 for Joey Gase Motorsports.
Cup Series
On June 1, 2018, reports surfaced that Smithley will make his Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series debut at Michigan with StarCom Racing in the team's No. 99 entry, though the reports were not immediately confirmed by Smithley.[33] Smithley retired from the race after just one lap with a transmission issue.[34] He later ran two other races that season, including one with Premium Motorsports.[35]
For 2021, Smithley remained with RWR for another part-time schedule in the Cup Series.[44] He also attempted to qualify for the Daytona 500 for the first time in his career. With all four of the Rick Ware cars taken, Smithley drove the No. 13 (previously No. 49) for MBM Motorsports, a team he made one Xfinity Series start for in 2017.[45]Chad Finchum was originally scheduled to drive the car in the race, but he was taken out of it because he had no sponsor lined up while Smithley did have one (Trophy Tractor).[46]
In 2022, Smithley remained with RWR, this time in the No. 15 Ford, for another partial schedule.[47] He would get a best finish of 21st in his first start of the year at Auto Club Speedway in six races.
Personal life
Smithley's father and both of his grandfathers were military servicemen. He was born in Pennsylvania, but later moved to Virginia when he was six, and then Georgia in the sixth grade.[2] When he was a child, Smithley played baseball and football, but also was active in dance and chorus, eventually becoming a theater participant at McIntosh High School,[48] even being named as the lead in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory[1] along with being an active member of the Boy Scouts of America.[19] He credits his theater and drama experience as giving him the confidence necessary to take chances in his racing career.[2]
After racing, Smithley hopes to become a television announcer.[1]
Motorsports career results
NASCAR
(key) (Bold– Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics– Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. *– Most laps led.)
(key) (Bold– Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics– Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. *– Most laps led. **– All laps led.)
(key) (Bold– Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics– Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. *– Most laps led. **– All laps led.)
Christopher Beltram Hernandez "J. J." Yeley is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes part-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 44 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for NY Racing Team and part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series driving the No. 14 Chevrolet Camaro for SS-Green Light Racing, and the No. 35 Toyota for Joey Gase Motorsports. He has previously competed in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, what is now the ARCA Menards Series, and what is now the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour as well as the IndyCar Series.
SS-Green Light Racing is an American professional stock car racing team that currently competes in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, fielding the No. 07 Chevrolet Camaro SS, primarily for Patrick Emerling and the No. 14 full-time for multiple drivers. In the ARCA Menards Series, the team fields the No. 08 Ford Fusion part-time for Patrick Emerling. The team has a technical alliance with Richard Childress Racing for their Camaros.
JD Motorsports was an American professional stock car racing team that competed in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. It was owned and operated by Johnny Davis. It last fielded the No. 4 part-time for multiple drivers. The team utilized engines from Clements Racing Engines and was one of the oldest teams in the sport, having competed in the very first official NASCAR Xfinity Series race, the 1983 Goody's 300.
Harrison L. Rhodes is an American professional stock car racing driver. He last competed part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 52 Chevrolet Camaro for Jimmy Means Racing. He is not related to NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Ben Rhodes.
Cody Shane Ware is an American professional auto racing driver. He competes part-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 15 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Rick Ware Racing and in the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge for RWR with Ave Motorsports. A third-generation driver with experience in stock car, sports car, and open-wheel racing, he is the son of NASCAR team owner Rick Ware.
B. J. McLeod Motorsports is an American professional stock car racing team that currently competes part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. The team is owned by B. J. McLeod and his wife, Jessica. The team currently fields No. 78 part-time for B. J. McLeod.
Kyle Weatherman is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the Nos. 91 and 36 Chevrolet Camaros for DGM Racing. He has also previously competed in the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and ARCA Menards Series.
Spencer Paul Boyd is an American professional stock car racing driver and NASCAR team owner. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 76 Chevrolet Silverado for Freedom Racing Enterprises, a team he co-owns with Chris Miller. Boyd has also previously competed in the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series.
Joshua Michael Bilicki is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes part-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 66 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for MBM Motorsports and part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the Nos. 91 and 92 Chevrolet Camaros for DGM Racing and the No. 19 Toyota GR Supra for Joe Gibbs Racing. He has also previously competed in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and sports car racing.
Josh L. Williams is an American professional stock car racing driver and team owner. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 11 Chevrolet Camaro for Kaulig Racing and part-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 16 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for Kaulig Racing. He also owns Josh Williams Motorsports, which fields cars for development drivers in the ARCA Menards Series, Late Model Stock Cars, Legend Cars and Bandoloero's.
Matthew Robert Mills is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 42 Chevrolet Silverado for Niece Motorsports. He has also previously competed in the NASCAR Cup Series and the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
DGM Racing is a Canadian professional stock car racing team that currently competes in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. The team is owned by Mario Gosselin. The team is now located in Lake Wales, Florida, The team formerly fielded a Truck Series team and an ARCA team. Gosselin won two ARCA races with the team. The team currently fields two Chevrolet Camaros, the No. 91 full-time for Kyle Weatherman and the No. 92 full-time for multiple drivers. The team also fields the No. 36 Chevrolet Camaro part-time for multiple drivers.
Robert Lyons II is an American professional stock car racing driver. He last competed part-time in the ARCA Menards Series, driving the No. 42 Chevrolet SS for Cook Racing Technologies. He has also competed part-time NASCAR Xfinity Series and in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in the past.
Dawson Kevin Cram is an American professional stock car racing driver, mechanic, and team owner. He competes part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 4 Chevrolet Camaro for JD Motorsports, the No. 74 Chevrolet for Mike Harmon Racing, and the No. 92 Chevrolet for DGM Racing, and part-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 46 Chevrolet Silverado for Faction46.
The 2019 NASCAR Xfinity Series was the 38th season of the NASCAR Xfinity Series, a stock car racing series sanctioned by NASCAR in the United States.
The 2020 NASCAR Xfinity Series was the 39th season of the NASCAR Xfinity Series, a stock car racing series sanctioned by NASCAR in the United States. The season began at Daytona International Speedway with the NASCAR Racing Experience 300 on February 15. The regular season ended with the Go Bowling 250 at Richmond Raceway on September 11. The NASCAR playoffs ended with the Desert Diamond Casino West Valley 200 at Phoenix Raceway on November 7.
The 2021 NASCAR Xfinity Series was the 40th season of the NASCAR Xfinity Series, a stock car racing series sanctioned by NASCAR in the United States. The season began at Daytona International Speedway with the Beef. It's What's for Dinner. 300 on February 13. The regular season ended with the Food City 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway on September 17. The NASCAR playoffs ended with the NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway on November 6.
The 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series was the 41st season of the NASCAR Xfinity Series, a stock car racing series sanctioned by NASCAR in the United States. The season started with the Beef. It's What's for Dinner. 300 on February 19 at Daytona International Speedway and ended with the NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship Race on November 5 at Phoenix Raceway.
The 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series was the 42nd season of the NASCAR Xfinity Series, a stock car racing series sanctioned by NASCAR in the United States. The season started with the Beef. It's What's for Dinner. 300 on February 18 at Daytona International Speedway and ended with the NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship Race on November 4 at Phoenix Raceway.
Morgen John Baird is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 53 Ford Mustang for Joey Gase Motorsports. He has competed in select ARCA Menards Series races since 2016.
↑ "(Twitter post)". Twitter. Austin Konenski. May 24, 2022. Retrieved May 25, 2022. JUST IN: Garrett Smithley is set to drive the No. 36 car for DGM Racing in this weekend's NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Alex Labbe was previously scheduled to drive the No. 36 car.
↑ "(Twitter post)". Twitter. DGM Racing. May 24, 2022. Retrieved May 25, 2022. As scheduled, Alex Labbé will not pilot the No. 36 at Charlotte this weekend. This is a planned absence as Alex's sponsorship commitments cover select races in the 2022 season. Despite our best efforts to secure additional sponsorship, we were unable to find funding for this race. Labbé will return to the No. 36 at Portland International Raceway.
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