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JR Motorsports unveils Sammy Smith Pilot Flying J paint scheme for 2024

JHby:Jonathan Howard•12/11/23•

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Sammy Smith
© David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports

As the 2024 NASCAR season gets closer, JR Motorsports and Sammy Smith have been finalizing things. Like Smith’s new Pilot Flying J paint scheme. After all, Smith is going from the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota team to the No. 8 JR Motorsports Chevy team.

Lots of changes for Sammy Smith in 2024. The 2023 Xfinity Series Rookie of the Year is looking to improve on his first season. He will do that with a new team as he goes to JR Motorsports, who happens to be producing Cup Series talent at a high rate.

There are some minor changes – the biggest for this Pilot Flying J scheme has to be the number, of course. Smith dropped the 1 and kept the 8 for this new season.

JR Motorsports added more color to the hood and roof, as well as the B and C pillars. The number also changes from yellow to white in this scheme. To tell the truth, it’s an improvement over the JGR design.

For those who would like to see the two schemes somewhat side-by-side, here’s a look at Sammy Smith from earlier this year in the Toyota Supra.

While paint schemes are fun, they don’t do the driving. Sammy Smith has a big sophomore season coming in the Xfinity Series with his new team. What will he do with the opportunity?

Sammy Smith looking to improve on ROY season

A two-time ARCA Series East champion, Sammy Smith has a lot of wins in his past. In that 2022 season, Smith won 10 races between the ARCA East, West, and national series. Then, he comes to the Xfinity Series and wins at Phoenix in his fourth race.

Things didn’t work out to Smith’s liking the rest of the season. He had struggles at times, particularly that stretch from Road America through Darlington. However, 6th overall in his debut season in the Xfinity Series isn’t bad.

With another year of experience behind him, 2024 should be a great season for Smith and JR Motorsports. The organization as a whole struggled to get off to a strong start in 2023, but they were able to really put together some solid performances in the second half of the year.

Sammy Smith replaces Josh Berry, and he hopes to find himself in the Cup Series. That No. 8 car has sent Noah Gragson and Berry to the top level in back-to-back seasons – can it do the same for Smith?