The race to the NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship is heating up, and Sammy Smith finds himself in a familiar yet precarious position as he heads into Talladega Speedway. Currently sitting eighth in the standings, Smith trails the cutoff line by 24 points—a gap that’s both daunting and, for him, eerily familiar. But here’s where it gets intriguing: Smith isn’t just a contender; he’s the defending fall winner at this very 2.66-mile superspeedway. Can he repeat history and claw his way back into championship contention? That’s the million-dollar question.
With the United Rentals 250 on Saturday front and center, Smith knows the stakes are high. His focus is laser-sharp: secure valuable stage points and, ideally, snag another win like he did last year under similar circumstances. “I’m excited about today,” Smith shared Saturday morning at Talladega. “I think it’s going to be a good day for us.” But excitement aside, he’s no stranger to adversity. An engine failure at Bristol Motor Speedway left his No. 8 JR Motorsports team in a deep hole, yet the Johnston, Iowa native rebounded with back-to-back top-five finishes at Kansas and Charlotte’s ROVAL. Resilience? Check.
But here’s where it gets controversial: Last weekend at Las Vegas, Smith’s performance fell flat, landing him in 20th place after starting 15th. Was it a fluke, or a sign of deeper challenges? Smith admits, “We really struggled and just missed it.” Yet, he remains undeterred, focusing on what he can control—fast racecars, execution, and his own performance. “If we can go win, it would be awesome,” he added, echoing the confidence that comes from his ROVAL success.
Looking ahead, Smith sees opportunity knocking—loudly. Talladega this weekend, Martinsville next, and then Phoenix. Each track holds promise, but this is the part most people miss: getting to Phoenix, the final showdown, is no small feat. “It’s important that we go out and have a fast racecar, but getting there is going to be the tough part,” Smith noted. And with Martinsville’s elimination race looming, he’s keenly aware that a must-win scenario is something no driver wants.
So, what’s the game plan? “Secure stage points and see what everyone else does,” Smith explained. “The goal today is to get stage points and win stages—that’s the most important.” Starting 11th at Talladega, his fifth Xfinity appearance here, Smith is poised to make a move. But will it be enough?
Here’s the thought-provoking question for you: Can Sammy Smith overcome the odds and clinch the championship, or will the pressure of the playoffs prove too much? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. And don’t forget to follow Grace Krenrich on X (formerly Twitter
