JR Motorsports signs Sammy Smith to replace Josh Berry in 2024

JR Motorsports has found their replacement for Josh Berry, inking Sammy Smith to a deal to drive the No. 8 for their Xfinity Series team in 2024.

Smith has risen to prominence over the last year in the series, driving for Joe Gibbs Racing after making his name in the ARCA Menards Series East. Now, he’ll take his talents over to drive for Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Chevrolet in 2024.

On Tuesday, JR Motorsports took to Twitter to make the announcement official, and the excitement is already growing for Smith’s arrival.

“JR Motorsports has tabbed current NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoff contender and two-time ARCA Menards Series East champion Sammy Smith as its newest driver, the team announced today,” the press release read. “Beginning in 2024, Smith will command JRM’s iconic No. 8 Chevrolet Camaro in full-time NXS competition with partnership from Pilot Flying J, TMC Transportation and the Allstate Peterbilt Group.”

Continuing, Earnhardt Jr. released a statement on the matter, believing Smith can help JR Motorsports a ton over the coming years.

“Sammy is a great fit for our program and will mesh well with our other drivers,” said Earnhardt Jr. “He’s a young, talented racer who’s willing to learn and carries himself with a lot of professionalism. He has a bright future ahead. I’m excited for our team to help him continue his journey.”

As for Smith, who won a race and added 12 top ten finishes to his resume thus far in 2023, he can’t wait to get over to JR Motorsports and start his next chapter. 

“I am very appreciative for the support of Pilot Flying J, TMC Transportation and all my partners that help make this happen,” added Smith. “The opportunity to race for JR Motorsports is one I am looking forward to and cannot wait to see what we all accomplish together.”

Additionally, JRM CEO Kelley Earnhardt Miller believes the combination of Smith with the Pilot Flying J, TMC Transportation and Allstate Peterbilt Group will be an awesome one for JR Motorsports.

“It’s special to welcome Pilot Flying J, TMC Transportation and Allstate Peterbilt Group back into the JRM family,” said Earnhardt Miller. “They were part of our Xfinity program for five years and were instrumental in helping us become a four-car operation in 2017. This reunion shows a lot of promise with a talent like Sammy at the wheel. We can’t wait to go to work with them.”

Sammy Smith looked fantastic at times with Joe Gibbs Racing, and the sky is the limit for him in the Xfinity Series, as he takes his talents to JR Motorsports.