NASCAR driver Sammy Smith wins first Truck Series race, signs with TRICON for 2027
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The gist
Sammy Smith won the Love's RV Stop 225 at Talladega in overtime, his first Truck Series win in 11 starts.
The 22-year-old also secured a full-time 2027 ride with top team TRICON Garage.
Background
Sammy Smith is a 22-year-old Iowa native who drove the No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet in the NASCAR Truck Series and the No. 8 JR Motorsports Chevrolet in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series this year. He announced on Aug. 26 that he was leaving JR Motorsports, a team owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr., where wins didn't come as either side expected — his average finish never got into the single digits and he managed just two wins over three seasons. Days after that split became official news, he won at Talladega and then signed with TRICON Garage, described as one of the top Truck Series teams, for 2027.
How it unfolded
- Aug 26, 2026Smith announced he was leaving JR Motorsports, the team owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- Oct 23, 2026Smith won the Love's RV Stop 225 at Talladega Superspeedway in overtime, his first career Truck Series win in his 11th start, leading 21 of 88 laps.
- Oct 23, 2026At a press conference at Talladega, TRICON Garage announced it had signed Smith and Dawson Sutton full time for the 2027 Truck Series season.
- Oct 23, 2026TRICON said Smith will drive the No. 15 Toyota Tundra in 2027, while Sutton will drive the No. 5.
- Oct 24, 2026Reports were published on Smith's first Truck Series victory and points leader Kaden Honeycutt moving closer to the championship.
Who’s saying what
- Driver
- Smith credited his Spire crew and truck speed, and said after the win: "I'm a winner. And I know I can win."
- Team
- TRICON partner and general manager Kevin Ray said the team is confident Smith and Sutton will be great additions, citing Smith's experience and prior success.