NASCAR team announces driver RETURN for 2026

JR Motorsports has announced a driver return for 2026 as the NASCAR grid for next season becomes ever clearer.

The team confirmed that Sammy Smith will return to the team and the No. 8 Chevrolet car for the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (the new name for the Xfinity Series from 2026).

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It will be the third season at JRM for the 21-year-old Johnston, Iowa native - who ended the 2025 regular season in sixth place in the standings. He claimed six top-5 finishes and locked into a playoff berth early with a win at Rockingham in April.

Smith will begin his postseason bid for a championship in the Food City 300 at Bristol on Friday night (7.30pm ET).

Sammy Smith is back again for JRM

“It’s been a pleasure getting to know and work with Sammy these past two seasons and we’re looking forward to seeing what the future will hold next year after our run for a championship with the No. 8 team in 2025.”

Smith said: “I am looking forward to continuing to build on what we’ve accomplished together here at JRM.”

2025 has been a spectacular year for JRM in Xfinity racing - with 19-year-old phenom Connor Zilisch heading the regular-season standings after an incredible year which netted nine race wins.

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