Sammy Smith to depart JR Motorsports after 2026 season

Sammy Smith will depart JR Motorsports following the conclusion of the 2026 NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series season. The driver announced his departure via social media, stating, “New chapter. Same mindset,” and expressing gratitude for his time with the No. 8 team.

JR Motorsports has already identified a successor for Smith, confirming that Carson Kvapil will take over the No. 8 Chevrolet for the 2027 season. Smith, who currently sits eighth in the series standings, has expressed his intention to continue competing in 2027, noting that “nothing is given. Everything is earned.”

Potential landing spots for Smith in 2027 include the Haas Factory Team, specifically the No. 41 Chevrolet, should Sam Mayer depart the organization. Other possibilities involve existing lineups at Richard Childress Racing or Joe Gibbs Racing as teams finalize their rosters for the upcoming seasons.