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Garrett Smithley
Smithley at Michigan International Speedway in 2018
BornGarrett K. Smithley
(1992-04-27) April 27, 1992 (age 32)
Ligonier, Pennsylvania
NASCAR Cup Series career
43 races run over 3 years
Car no., teamNo. TBA (Rick Ware Racing)
2020 position48th
Best finish48th (2020)
First race2018 FireKeepers Casino 400 (Michigan)
Last race2020 Season Finale 500 (Phoenix)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 0 0
NASCAR Xfinity Series career
137 races run over 6 years
2020 position43rd
Best finish18th (2016)
First race2015 Ford EcoBoost 300 (Homestead)
Last race2020 Ag-Pro 300 (Talladega)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 5 0
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series career
9 races run over 4 years
2020 position94th
Best finish36th (2015)
First race2015 Hyundai Construction Equipment 200 (Atlanta)
Last race2020 North Carolina Education Lottery 200 (Charlotte)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 0 0
Statistics current as of November 8, 2020.

Garrett K. Smithley (born April 27, 1992) is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes part-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving for Rick Ware Racing. Smithley has also competed in the NASCAR Xfinity and Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series, and the ARCA Racing Series.

Racing career

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 go and 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 didn't 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 ever 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]

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]

Xfinity Series

Smithley at Road America in 2017
Smithley at Road America in 2016

Smithley made his Xfinity Series debut in the final race of 2015, at Homestead driving the No. 70 Chevrolet Camaro for Derrike Cope Racing, started 34th, and finished 28th.[11]

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 Smithley 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-ten 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 seeing if they would like to sponsor him.[3] He has opened a personal LLC to help with the finances of sponsorship, mainly taxes.[19]

It was announced on February 7, 2018, that Smithley would return 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; 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 doesn't 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 for 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]

In 2020, Smithley joined SS-Green Light Racing as part of an alliance with Rick Ware Racing, debuting with the team at Charlotte in the No. 07.[24]

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 weren't immediately confirmed by Smithley.[25] Smithley retired from the race after just one lap with a transmission issue.[26] He later ran two other races with Premium Motorsports that season.[27]

In 2019, Smithley picked up a part-time ride with Spire Motorsports to drive the No. 77 Chevrolet starting at Atlanta Motor Speedway.[28] In his limited schedule, Smithley aimed to gain respect from the Cup Series competitors.[29] He cracked the top-30 with a 28th-place finish at the 2019 Brickyard 400.[30] While driving the No. 52 Rick Ware Racing Ford at the 2019 South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, he was heavily criticized by Kyle Busch, who blamed him and Joey Gase for costing him a solid run.[31][32]

Smithley returned to RWR for the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season, racing on an "expanded" schedule beginning with the 2020 Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas.[33] He also made starts with Spire and B. J. McLeod Motorsports.[34][35] He remained with the team on a part-time deal in 2021.[36]

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 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,[37] 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.)

Cup Series

NASCAR 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
2018 StarCom Racing 99 Chevy DAY ATL LVS PHO CAL MAR TEX BRI RCH TAL DOV KAN CLT POC MCH
39 		SON CHI DAY KEN
36 		NHA POC GLN 67th 01 [38]
Premium Motorsports 7 Chevy MCH
32 		BRI DAR IND LVS RCH CLT DOV TAL KAN MAR TEX PHO HOM
2019 Spire Motorsports 77 Chevy DAY ATL
36 		LVS PHO CAL
36 		MAR TEX
32 		BRI RCH TAL DOV KAN CLT POC MCH
35 		BRI 55th 01 [39]
Premium Motorsports 15 Chevy MCH
30 		SON CHI DAY KEN NHA POC GLN
Rick Ware Racing 54 Chevy DAR
35
52 Ford IND
28 		LVS
35 		RCH CLT
36 		KAN
34 		TEX
36
54 DOV
33 		TAL
52 Chevy MAR
32
51 PHO
31 		HOM
2020 DAY LVS
35 		CAL
34 		PHO
35 		48th 02 [40]
53 DAR
37 		DAR
34 		CLT
33 		CLT
40 		ATL
35 		POC
33 		POC
32 		IND
24 		KEN
33 		TEX
Spire Motorsports 77 Chevy BRI
26 		MAR
36 		HOM KAN
26 		NHA
31 		MAR
39
B. J. McLeod Motorsports 78 Chevy TAL
34 		BRI
32 		LVS TAL CLT KAN
Rick Ware Racing 53 Ford MCH
35 		MCH
34 		DAY
36 		TEX
31
Tommy Baldwin Racing 7 Chevy DOV
37 		DOV
35 		DAY DAR RCH PHO
37

Xfinity Series

NASCAR 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
2015 Derrike Cope Racing 70 Chevy DAY ATL LVS PHO CAL TEX BRI RCH TAL IOW CLT DOV MCH CHI DAY KEN NHA IND IOW GLN MOH BRI ROA DAR RCH CHI KEN DOV CLT KAN TEX PHO HOM
28 		109th 01 [41]
2016 JD Motorsports 0 Chevy DAY ATL
24 		LVS
24 		PHO
31 		CAL
23 		TEX
23 		BRI
29 		RCH
20 		TAL
12 		DOV
24 		CLT
15 		POC
27 		MCH
17 		IOW
22 		DAY
13 		KEN
24 		NHA
23 		IND
23 		IOW
22 		GLN
39 		MOH
24 		BRI
23 		ROA
40 		DAR
22 		RCH
31 		CHI
19 		KEN
17 		DOV
26 		CLT
25 		KAN
18 		TEX
25 		PHO
34 		HOM
29 		18th 544 [42]
2017 DAY
8 		ATL
27 		LVS
29 		PHO
24 		CAL
26 		TEX
30 		BRI
34 		RCH
29 		TAL
21 		CLT
24 		DOV
27 		POC
35 		MCH
29 		IOW
10 		DAY
28 		KEN
26 		NHA
23 		IND
21 		IOW
35 		GLN
24 		MOH
30 		BRI
34 		ROA
27 		DAR
26 		RCH
32 		KEN
25 		DOV
29 		CLT
23 		KAN
28 		TEX
24 		PHO
25 		HOM
24 		21st 348 [43]
MBM Motorsports 40 Toyota CHI
37
2018 JD Motorsports 0 Chevy DAY
5 		PHO
28 		CAL
23 		TEX
27 		BRI
17 		RCH
27 		TAL
10 		DOV
32 		CLT
14 		POC
26 		MCH
26 		IOW
25 		CHI
19 		DAY
28 		KEN
19 		NHA
32 		IOW
25 		GLN
23 		MOH
28 		BRI
16 		ROA
15 		IND
20 		LVS
18 		RCH
24 		CLT
25 		DOV
23 		KAN
13 		TEX
20 		PHO
26 		HOM
27 		19th 496 [44]
15 ATL
25 		LVS
23
4 DAR
20
2019 0 DAY
24 		ATL
17 		LVS
18 		PHO
22 		CAL
19 		TEX
31 		BRI
22 		RCH
19 		TAL
12 		DOV
23 		CLT
17 		POC
29 		MCH
27 		IOW
29 		CHI
25 		DAY
14 		KEN
19 		NHA
24 		IOW
22 		GLN
24 		MOH
20 		BRI
28 		ROA
33 		DAR
29 		IND
14 		LVS
23 		RCH
27 		DOV
26 		KAN
33 		TEX
17 		PHO
27 		HOM
32 		19th 443 [45]
4 CLT
33
2020 SS-Green Light Racing 07 Chevy DAY LVS CAL PHO DAR CLT
31 		BRI ATL
24 		HOM HOM TAL POC IND KEN
31 		KEN
16 		TEX KAN ROA DAY DOV DOV DAY DAR RCH RCH BRI LVS TAL
8 		CLT KAN TEX MAR PHO 43rd 752 [46]

Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series

NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors 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 NGTC Pts Ref
2015 MB Motorsports 63 Chevy DAY ATL
18 		MAR KAN CLT DOV TEX GTW IOW KEN ELD POC
16 		MCH
14 		BRI MSP CHI NHA LVS TAL MAR TEX PHO HOM
28 		36th 100 [47]
2016 DAY ATL
18 		MAR KAN DOV 98th 01 [48]
SS-Green Light Racing 07 Chevy CLT
29 		TEX IOW GTW KEN
21 		ELD POC BRI MCH MSP CHI NHA LVS TAL MAR TEX PHO HOM
2019 Chad Finley Racing 42 Chevy DAY ATL LVS MAR TEX
15 		DOV KAN CLT TEX IOW GTW CHI KEN POC ELD MCH BRI MSP LVS TAL MAR PHO HOM 105th 01 [49]
2020 Niece Motorsports 40 Chevy DAY LVS CLT
36 		ATL HOM POC KEN TEX KAN KAN MCH DAY DOV GTW DAR RCH BRI LVS TAL KAN TEX MAR PHO 94th 01 [50]

* Season still in progress
1 Ineligible for series points
2 Switched to Xfinity points prior to the spring Charlotte race

ARCA Racing Series

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

ARCA Racing 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 ARSC Pts Ref
2013 Derrike Cope Racing 74 Chevy DAY MOB SLM TAL TOL ELK POC
17 		MCH ROA WIN CHI NJE POC
14 		BLN ISF MAD DSF IOW SLM KEN
26 		KAN 64th 405 [51]
2014 Wes Gonder Racing 11 Ford DAY MOB SLM TAL
18 		TOL NJE POC MCH ELK WIN CHI IRP POC BLN ISF MAD DSF SLM KEN KAN 111th 140 [52]
2015 Rick Ware Racing 10 Chevy DAY
34 		MOB NSH SLM TAL TOL NJE POC MCH CHI WIN IOW IRP POC BLN ISF DSF SLM KEN KAN 136th 60 [53]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Garrett Smithley Checks In!". Bump N' Run Podcast. Spreaker. Retrieved 2018-04-28.
  2. ^ a b c Crandall, Kelly (2016-09-01). "Xfinity Series Spotlight: Garrett Smithley, actor, singer and racer". NASCAR Talk. Retrieved 2017-11-04.
  3. ^ a b Gluck, Jeff (2017-03-08). "12 Questions with Garrett Smithley". JeffGluck.com. Retrieved 2017-11-04.
  4. ^ "Garrett Smithley 2013 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference.info. Racing-Reference.info. Retrieved April 21, 2016.
  5. ^ "Garrett Smithley 2014 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference.info. Racing-Reference.info. Retrieved April 21, 2016.
  6. ^ "Garrett Smithley 2015 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference.info. Racing-Reference.info. Retrieved April 21, 2016.
  7. ^ "Garrett Smithley 2015 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference.info. Racing-Reference.info. Retrieved April 21, 2016.
  8. ^ "Garrett Smithley 2016 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference.info. Racing-Reference.info. Retrieved April 21, 2016.
  9. ^ "Garrett Smithley to pull triple duty at Texas Motor Speedway". Catchfence. March 27, 2019. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  10. ^ Bonkowski, Jerry (May 20, 2020). "Garrett Smithley to make debut for Niece Motorsports". NBC Sports. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
  11. ^ "Garrett Smithley 2015 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference.info. Racing-Reference.info. Retrieved April 21, 2016.
  12. ^ McCubbin, Ashley. "Garrett Smithley Gets Opportunity with JD Motorsports". Popular Speed. Popular Speed. Retrieved April 21, 2016.
  13. ^ Albino, Dustin. "Eyes on XFINITY: Garrett Smithley Hopes To Be Next Breakout Star at JD Motorsports". Frontstretch.com. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
  14. ^ "Garrett Smithley 2016 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results - Racing-Reference.info". racing-reference.info. Retrieved 2016-11-22.
  15. ^ "Watch as violent wreck unfolds early in 'Dega XFINITY race". FOX Sports. 2016-04-30. Retrieved 2017-11-04.
  16. ^ Off Axis Podcast S2E12 – Garrett Smithley, 2018-03-01, retrieved 2018-03-17
  17. ^ "Entry list for TheHouse.com 300 – Motorsports One". www.motorsportsone.com. Retrieved 2017-09-18.
  18. ^ "Driver Garrett Smithley 2017 NASCAR XFINITY Series Results - Racing-Reference.info". racing-reference.info. Retrieved 2017-12-02.
  19. ^ a b c d Crandall, Kelly (2018-08-09). "Podcast: Xfinity racer Garrett Smithley". RACER. Retrieved 2018-08-09.
  20. ^ Jordan, Jerry (2018-02-18). "Garrett Smithley brings home Top 5 at Daytona for JD Motorsports". Kickin' The Tires. Retrieved 2018-02-23.
  21. ^ "Garrett Smithley and Matt Mills to swap numbers". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2018-02-23.
  22. ^ "Garrett Smithley Returns to JD Motorsports for Full-Time Campaign". JD Motorsports. February 4, 2019. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
  23. ^ "Garrett Smithley to honor Mike Mittler with Darlington scheme". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
  24. ^ Albino, Dustin (May 23, 2020). "Ray Black Jr. focusing on family business, Rick Ware strikes deal with SS-Green Light Racing". Frontstretch. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
  25. ^ Jordan, Jerry. "Garrett Smithley taking step up to Cup Series with Michigan start". Kickin The Tires. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  26. ^ "2018 FireKeepers Casino 400". Racing-Reference. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  27. ^ "Garrett Smithley driving for Premium Motorsports at Michigan". Jayski's Silly Season Site. ESPN. August 8, 2018. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  28. ^ Smithley, Garrett (February 18, 2019). "Garrett Smithley in Spire Motorsports car at Atlanta as entry lists released". NBC Sports. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
  29. ^ Crandall, Kelly. "Racing Writer's Podcast: Episode 70: Garrett Smithley". PodcastOne. Retrieved 6 May 2019.
  30. ^ Beard, Brock (September 15, 2019). "INTERVIEW: Garrett Smithley and sponsor look to run more Cup races". LASTCAR.info. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  31. ^ Albert, Zack (September 15, 2019). "Busch rallies after early damage, blames lapped drivers for late contact". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
  32. ^ Page, Scott (September 17, 2019). "Drivers respond to Kyle Busch's criticism". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
  33. ^ McFadin, Daniel (February 18, 2020). "Garrett Smithley returns to Rick Ware Racing for 'expanded' Cup schedule". NBC Sports. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  34. ^ Srigley, Joseph (May 29, 2020). "Garrett Smithley Returning to Spire Motorsports at Bristol Motor Speedway". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved June 18, 2020.
  35. ^ Nguyen, Justin (June 18, 2020). "James Davison disapproved for Talladega, Cup debut pushed to Pocono". The Checkered Flag. Retrieved June 18, 2020.
  36. ^ "Garrett Smithley returns to Rick Ware Racing for partial 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season". Rick Ware Racing (Press release). Catchfence. January 27, 2021. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  37. ^ Webb, John (February 19, 2018). "Peachtree City rides in NASCAR's top two series". The Prowler. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  38. ^ "Garrett Smithley – 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  39. ^ "Garett Smithley – 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
  40. ^ "Garett Smithley – 2020 NASCAR Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  41. ^ "Garrett Smithley – 2015 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  42. ^ "Garrett Smithley – 2016 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  43. ^ "Garrett Smithley – 2017 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  44. ^ "Garrett Smithley – 2018 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  45. ^ "Garrett Smithley – 2019 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  46. ^ "Garrett Smithley – 2020 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  47. ^ "Garrett Smithley – 2015 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  48. ^ "Garrett Smithley – 2016 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  49. ^ "Garrett Smithley – 2019 NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
  50. ^ "Garrett Smithley – 2020 NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  51. ^ "Garrett Smithley – 2013 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  52. ^ "Garrett Smithley – 2014 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  53. ^ "Garrett Smithley – 2015 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
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