Chandler Michael Smith Sr. (born June 26, 2002) is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 81 Toyota Supra for Joe Gibbs Racing. He was a member of Toyota Racing Development's TD2 driver development system from 2018 until the end of 2022 but rejoined the program starting in 2024.
Chandler Smith | |||||||
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![]() Smith at Richmond Raceway in 2024 | |||||||
Born | Chandler Michael Smith June 26, 2002 Talking Rock, Georgia, U.S. | ||||||
Achievements | 2021 Snowball Derby Winner 2018 SpeedFest 200 Winner 2013 INEX Bandolero Bandit National Champion | ||||||
Awards | 2021 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Rookie of the Year 2017 Southern Super Series Rookie of the Year | ||||||
NASCAR Cup Series career | |||||||
3 races run over 1 year | |||||||
2023 position | 47th | ||||||
Best finish | 47th (2023) | ||||||
First race | 2023 Toyota Owners 400 (Richmond) | ||||||
Last race | 2023 YellaWood 500 (Talladega) | ||||||
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NASCAR Xfinity Series career | |||||||
40 races run over 3 years | |||||||
Car no., team | No. 81 (Joe Gibbs Racing) | ||||||
2023 position | 9th | ||||||
Best finish | 9th (2023) | ||||||
First race | 2022 Ag-Pro 300 (Talladega) | ||||||
Last race | 2024 Wawa 250 (Daytona) | ||||||
First win | 2023 ToyotaCare 250 (Richmond) | ||||||
Last win | 2024 ToyotaCare 250 (Richmond) | ||||||
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NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series career | |||||||
62 races run over 5 years | |||||||
2023 position | 92nd | ||||||
Best finish | 3rd (2022) | ||||||
First race | 2019 M&M's 200 (Iowa) | ||||||
Last race | 2023 Love's RV Stop 250 (Talladega) | ||||||
First win | 2021 UNOH 200 (Bristol) | ||||||
Last win | 2022 Worldwide Express 250 (Richmond) | ||||||
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NASCAR Canada Series career | |||||||
1 race run over 1 year | |||||||
2019 position | 46th | ||||||
Best finish | 46th (2019) | ||||||
First race | 2019 Total Quartz 200 (Mosport) | ||||||
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ARCA Menards Series career | |||||||
35 races run over 5 years | |||||||
Best finish | 10th (2020) | ||||||
First race | 2018 Music City 200 (Nashville Fairgrounds) | ||||||
Last race | 2022 Reese's 200 (IRP) | ||||||
First win | 2018 Herr's Potato Chips 200 (Madison) | ||||||
Last win | 2022 Reese's 200 (IRP) | ||||||
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ARCA Menards Series East career | |||||||
2 races run over 1 year | |||||||
Best finish | 21st (2020) | ||||||
First race | 2020 Royal Truck & Trailer 200 (Toledo) | ||||||
Last race | 2020 Bush's Beans 200 (Bristol) | ||||||
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Statistics current as of November 11, 2023. |
Racing career
editEarly career and ARCA Menards Series
editIn 2013, Smith won the bandoleros national championship after two wins at Atlanta, one at Charlotte and one at Bethel Motor Speedway.[1] In 2018, Smith made his ARCA Menards Series debut at the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway and won the pole after qualifying was rained out. He led 51 laps and finished 5th in the race. In his fourth ARCA start, Smith dominated at Madison International Speedway and won his first race after leading the most laps.
On September 15, 2018, Smith dominated at Salem Speedway, leading nearly every lap to win his second race. On November 2, it was announced that Smith would return to Venturini Motorsports for the 2019 season for 11 races. Smith would run mostly short track events due to age restrictions.[2]
Smith would return to Venturini part-time in the No. 20 for the third year in a row in 2020, with him in the car for 13 races while Ryan Repko would join the team that year to drive it in most of the races at the larger tracks such as Daytona where Smith was not able to compete at due to being under 18.[3] Ten of Smith's races that year were part of the brand new Sioux Chief Showdown, which put him in contention to win that separate championship within the ARCA Series.
Craftsman Truck Series
editOn February 21, 2019, Kyle Busch Motorsports announced that Smith would run a four-race NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series schedule in the team's Nos. 46 and 51 Toyota Tundras.[4] In just his first truck series start at Iowa, he would capture the pole after qualifying would be rained out with the starting order based on owner's points. Smith would lead the initial 55 laps and finished 8th in the race.
On March 3, 2020, Smith was announced to return to KBM part-time in the Truck Series for the 2020 season. His original schedule included eight races, all in the No. 51, which were at Richmond, Dover, Michigan, Gateway, Bristol, Las Vegas, Talladega, and the season finale at Phoenix.[5] His schedule was shuffled due to the COVID-19 pandemic; at Texas in November, Smith spun and criticized Tanner Gray for the lack of an ability to drive straight; Smith was later blamed by Ben Rhodes for a last-lap incident, although Smith never publicly accepted blame.[6]
Smith was promoted to a full-time Truck Series schedule for 2021, driving the No. 18 for KBM.[7] He almost won the series' inaugural race at Knoxville, but lost the lead to Austin Hill in the closing laps and green-white-checkered attempts. Smith did barely qualify for the playoffs in the 10th and final spot despite being disqualified in the regular-season finale at Watkins Glen.[8] At Bristol, in a must-win situation to make the Round of 8 in the playoffs, Smith won, beating Grant Enfinger and teammate John Hunter Nemechek as Nemechek overshot turn 1 and race leader Sheldon Creed was put into the wall by Smith and overshot turn 1 and spun finishing 19th. A 35th place finish at Las Vegas and a 19th place finish at Talladega cost Smith a chance at the Championship 4. Despite this, he won at Phoenix and finished eighth in the standings.
Smith began the 2022 season with a 21st place finish at Daytona. He scored wins at Las Vegas and Pocono to make the playoffs. During the playoffs, he won at Richmond and stayed consistent enough to make the Championship 4. Smith finished third at Phoenix and third in the standings.[9]
Smith returned to the Truck Series part-time in 2023, driving the No. 25 for Rackley WAR at Talladega after Matt DiBenedetto parted ways with the team.[10]
Xfinity Series
editOn October 5, 2022, Kaulig Racing announced that Smith would replace A. J. Allmendinger in the No. 16 in 2023 in the Xfinity Series, as Allmendinger would return to a full-time schedule in the Cup Series.[11] Smith began the season with a 12th place finish at Daytona. Two months later, he scored his first Xfinity win at Richmond.[12] In October of that year, it was revealed that Smith, who originally signed a multi-year contract, would part ways with the team at the end of the season.[13]
On December 13, 2023, it was announced that Smith will join Joe Gibbs Racing and drive the No. 81 Toyota full-time in 2024 after the team bought out Smith's contract from Kaulig.[14][15] Smith started the season with a fifth place finish at Daytona. He later scored wins at Phoenix and Richmond.[16][17]
Cup Series
editOn January 18, 2023, Kaulig Racing announced that Smith will attempt to make his Cup Series debut in the 2023 Daytona 500, with an additional four race schedule, driving a third car for the team.[18] Smith failed to make the Daytona 500 after finishing 18th in Duel 1 of the 2023 Bluegreen Vacations Duels.[19] Smith made his official Cup debut at Richmond, finishing 17th.[20]
Personal life
editSmith attended Pickens High School in Jasper, Georgia and was a part of the graduating class of 2020.[21] Smith's father, Mike Smith, is the owner of Smith General Contracting, a business that sponsors much of Chandler's racing endeavors.[22]
Smith proposed to his girlfriend Kenzie Grams on New Year's Day in 2021; they were married on July 17, 2021. On February 4, 2022, they announced they were expecting their first child and on August 4, 2022, their son Chandler Smith Jr. was born. They announced on May 12, 2023, they were expecting their second son.
Motorsports career results
editNASCAR
edit(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)
Cup Series
editNASCAR Cup Series results | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Team | No. | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | NCSC | Pts | Ref |
2023 | Kaulig Racing | 13 | Chevy | DAY DNQ |
CAL | LVS | PHO | ATL | COA | RCH 17 |
BRD | MAR | TAL | DOV | KAN | DAR | CLT | GTW | SON | NSH | CSC | ATL | NHA | POC | RCH | MCH | IRC | GLN | DAY 15 |
DAR | KAN | BRI | TEX | TAL 11 |
ROV | LVS | HOM | MAR | PHO | 47th | 01 | [23] |
Daytona 500
editYear | Team | Manufacturer | Start | Finish |
---|---|---|---|---|
2023 | Kaulig Racing | Chevrolet | DNQ |
Xfinity Series
editNASCAR Xfinity Series results | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Team | No. | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | NXSC | Pts | Ref |
2022 | Sam Hunt Racing | 26 | Toyota | DAY | CAL | LVS | PHO | ATL | COA | RCH | MAR | TAL 38 |
DOV 21 |
DAR | TEX | CLT | PIR | NSH | ROA | ATL | NHA | POC | IRC | MCH | GLN | DAY | DAR | KAN | BRI | TEX | TAL | ROV | LVS | HOM 7 |
MAR | PHO | 87th | 01 | [24] |
2023 | Kaulig Racing | 16 | Chevy | DAY 12 |
CAL 4 |
LVS 3* |
PHO 5 |
ATL 28 |
COA 12 |
RCH 1* |
MAR 10 |
TAL 25 |
DOV 13 |
DAR 36 |
CLT 13 |
PIR 9 |
SON 14 |
NSH 12* |
CSC 8 |
ATL 20 |
NHA 2 |
POC 20 |
ROA 37 |
MCH 20 |
IRC 34 |
GLN 8 |
DAY 22 |
DAR 12 |
KAN 32 |
BRI 5 |
TEX 4 |
ROV 12 |
LVS 4 |
HOM 34 |
MAR 36 |
PHO 8 |
9th | 2219 | [25] |
2024 | Joe Gibbs Racing | 81 | Toyota | DAY 5 |
ATL 2 |
LVS 3 |
PHO 1* |
COA 8 |
RCH 1 |
MAR 3 |
TEX 15 |
TAL 25 |
DOV 7 |
DAR 12 |
CLT 18 |
PIR 35 |
SON 7 |
IOW 8* |
NHA 15 |
NSH 2 |
CSC 38 |
POC 15 |
IND 33 |
MCH 27 |
DAY 2 |
DAR |
ATL | GLN | BRI | KAN | TAL | ROV | LVS | HOM | MAR | PHO | -* | -* | [26] |
Craftsman Truck Series
editNASCAR Craftsman Truck Series results | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Team | No. | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | NCTC | Pts | Ref |
2019 | Kyle Busch Motorsports | 51 | Toyota | DAY | ATL | LVS | MAR | TEX | DOV | KAN | CLT | TEX | IOW 8 |
BRI 2 |
MSP | LVS | TAL | MAR | 24th | 171 | [27] | ||||||||
46 | GTW 4 |
CHI | KEN | POC | ELD | MCH | PHO 3 |
HOM | |||||||||||||||||||||
2020 | 51 | DAY | LVS | CLT | ATL | HOM | POC | KEN 22 |
TEX | KAN | KAN | MCH 38 |
DRC | DOV 20 |
GTW 23 |
DAR 23 |
RCH 12 |
BRI 5 |
LVS 5 |
TAL 3 |
KAN 5 |
TEX 21 |
MAR | PHO 3 |
19th | 312 | [28] | ||
2021 | 18 | DAY 9* |
DRC 12 |
LVS 19 |
ATL 35 |
BRD 34 |
RCH 4 |
KAN 11 |
DAR 27 |
COA 33 |
CLT 6 |
TEX 5 |
NSH 13* |
POC 25 |
KNX 2* |
GLN 40 |
GTW 28 |
DAR 7 |
BRI 1 |
LVS 35 |
TAL 19 |
MAR 4 |
PHO 1 |
8th | 2230 | [29] | |||
2022 | DAY 21 |
LVS 1* |
ATL 4 |
COA 5 |
MAR 6 |
BRD 19 |
DAR 21 |
KAN 4 |
TEX 8 |
CLT 8 |
GTW 3 |
SON 5 |
KNX 13 |
NSH 15 |
MOH 6 |
POC 1* |
IRP 18 |
RCH 1* |
KAN 6 |
BRI 9* |
TAL 14 |
HOM 10 |
PHO 3 |
3rd | 4034 | [30] | |||
2023 | Rackley WAR | 25 | Chevy | DAY | LVS | ATL | COA | TEX | BRD | MAR | KAN | DAR | NWS | CLT | GTW | NSH | MOH | POC | RCH | IRP | MLW | KAN | BRI | TAL 4 |
HOM | PHO | 92nd | 01 | [31] |
* Season still in progress
1 Ineligible for series points
Pinty's Series
editNASCAR Pinty's Series results | |||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Team | No. | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | NPSC | Pts | Ref |
2019 | 22 Racing | 26 | Chevy | MSP | JUK | ACD | TOR | SAS | SAS | EIR | CTR | RIS | MSP 23 |
ASE | NHA | JUK | 46th | 21 | [32] |
ARCA Menards Series
edit(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)
ARCA Menards Series results | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Team | No. | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | AMSC | Pts | Ref |
2018 | Venturini Motorsports | 20 | Toyota | DAY | NSH 5 |
SLM 10* |
TAL | TOL 4* |
CLT | POC | MCH | IOW 2 |
ELK 6* |
POC | ISF | BLN 7 |
DSF | SLM 1* |
IRP 3 |
KAN | 14th | 1995 | [33] | |||
15 | MAD 1* |
GTW | CHI | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2019 | 20 | DAY | FIF 4 |
SLM 4 |
TAL | NSH 3 |
TOL 1* |
CLT | POC | MCH | MAD 1* |
GTW 16 |
CHI | ELK 1* |
IOW 1* |
POC 8 |
ISF | DSF | SLM 8 |
IRP 1 |
KAN | 11th | 2420 | [34] | ||
2020 | DAY | PHO 1 |
TAL | POC 2 |
IRP 1* |
KEN | IOW 4 |
KAN | TOL 11* |
TOL 2 |
MCH | DAY 9 |
GTW 2 |
L44 8 |
TOL 2 |
BRI 23 |
WIN | MEM 5 |
ISF | KAN 13 |
10th | 506 | [35] | |||
2021 | 25 | DAY | PHO | TAL | KAN | TOL | CLT | MOH | POC 12 |
ELK | BLN | IOW | WIN | GLN | MCH | ISF | MLW | DSF | BRI | SLM | KAN | 90th | 33 | [36] | ||
2022 | 15 | DAY | PHO | TAL | KAN | CLT | IOW | BLN | ELK | MOH | POC | IRP 1* |
MCH | GLN | ISF | MLW | DSF | KAN | BRI | SLM | TOL | 68th | 48 | [37] |
ARCA Menards Series East
editARCA Menards Series East results | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Team | No. | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | AMSEC | Pts | Ref | ||||||||||||||||||
2020 | Venturini Motorsports | 20 | Toyota | NSM | TOL | DOV | TOL 2 |
BRI 23 |
FIF | 21st | 64 | [38] |
References
edit- ^ "Chandler Smith, Bando Nationals Champion, Surprise Party". www.knowpickens.com. Archived from the original on July 11, 2022. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
- ^ Krall, Charles. "Chandler Smith Re-Signs for 11 Races with Venturini Motorsports in 2019". arcaracing.com. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
- ^ Kristl, Mark (December 20, 2019). "Chandler Smith to run 13 ARCA races, Ryan Repko to run 5". Frontstretch. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
- ^ "TRD driver Chandler Smith to compete in four NGOTS races for KBM in 2019". Kyle Busch Motorsports. February 21, 2019. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
- ^ "Chandler Smith to compete in eight races in the No. 51 JBL Tundra". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. March 3, 2020. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
- ^ Cheek, Adam (October 25, 2020). "'KBM Trucks Run Over Everybody': Ben Rhodes Among Drivers Angry As Wrecks Mar Texas Truck Race". Frontstretch. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
- ^ Utter, Jim (December 7, 2020). "Chandler Smith to compete for 2021 NASCAR Truck title with KBM". Motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
- ^ "Chandler Smith disqualified after No. 18 KBM entry fails post-race inspection at Watkins Glen". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. August 7, 2021.
- ^ "Zane Smith proves third time is charm by winning Truck Series title". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. November 4, 2022. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
- ^ "Chandler Smith to drive Rackley W.A.R. Truck Series entry at Talladega Superspeedway". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media. September 26, 2023. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
- ^ "Chandler Smith to Drive Full-Time for Kaulig Racing in 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series Season". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. October 5, 2022. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
- ^ Cain, Holly (April 1, 2023). "Chandler Smith finds late-race momentum, wins Xfinity Series race at Richmond". NASCAR. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
- ^ Srigley, Joseph (October 22, 2023). "Chandler Smith, Kaulig Racing to Part Ways At Season's End". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
- ^ "Sheldon Creed, Chandler Smith join Joe Gibbs Racing; Aric Almirola to run partial schedule". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media. December 13, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
- ^ Weaver, Matt (October 20, 2023). "Chandler Smith signs with Joe Gibbs Racing for 2024 NASCAR Xfinity season". Sportsnaut.
- ^ Spencer, Reid (March 9, 2024). "Chandler Smith surges in overtime, grabs Xfinity Series win in Phoenix". NASCAR. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
- ^ Albert, Zack (March 30, 2024). "Smith, Almirola, Love, Kligerman clinch eligibility for Dash 4 Cash opener". NASCAR. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
- ^ "Chandler Smith attempting to qualify for the Daytona 500 with Kaulig Racing; will run five Cup races this season". Jayski's Silly Season Site. January 18, 2023.
- ^ Albert, Zack (February 16, 2023). "Conor Daly, Zane Smith clinch final berths for Daytona 500 field in Duels". NASCAR. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
- ^ "Toyota Owners 400". NASCAR. April 2, 2023. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
- ^ Henry, Devon (March 9, 2020). "Balancing Life, School, and Professional Race Car Driving". Sports360AZ.com. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
- ^ "CHANDLER SMITH: DRIVER, NO. 18 SAFELITE® AUTOGLASS TOYOTA". Kyle Busch Motorsports. June 2021. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
- ^ "Chandler Smith – 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
- ^ "Chandler Smith – 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
- ^ "Chandler Smith – 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
- ^ "Chandler Smith – 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
- ^ "Chandler Smith – 2019 NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved June 16, 2019.
- ^ "Chandler Smith – 2020 NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
- ^ "Chandler Smith – 2021 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
- ^ "Chandler Smith – 2022 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
- ^ "Chandler Smith – 2023 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
- ^ "Chandler Smith – 2019 NASCAR Pinty's Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
- ^ "Chandler Smith – 2018 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
- ^ "Chandler Smith – 2019 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
- ^ "Chandler Smith – 2020 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
- ^ "Chandler Smith – 2021 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
- ^ "Chandler Smith – 2022 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
- ^ "Chandler Smith– 2020 ARCA Menards Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
External links
edit- Official website
- Official profile at Kaulig Racing
- Chandler Smith driver statistics at Racing-Reference