SAMMY SMITH TO RUN FULL 2023 NASCAR XFINITY SERIES SCHEDULE

on Thursday, December 8, 2022 in Company News

Pilot Flying J, TMC Transportation, and Allstate Peterbilt Group will be primary partners throughout the season.

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (December 6, 2022) - Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) announced Tuesday that Sammy Smith will run the full 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) schedule in the No. 18 Toyota GR Supra.

Smith ran nine NXS races for JGR in 2022. He ran competitively throughout his schedule with one top-five and three top-ten finishes. His best result was a third-place finish at Watkins Glen International in August. Smith’s best qualifying effort came at Phoenix Raceway with a second-place starting position.

“Sammy is a fantastic addition to our 2023 Xfinity lineup. He proved to have the passion and the talent to necessary compete for wins in the races he ran for us in 2022,” said Steve DeSouza, Executive Vice President of Xfinity Series/Development. “We are excited to get him in the No. 18 full-time and know he will be competitive from the jump.”

The Toyota development driver made a name for himself in 2022 in the ARCA Menards Series (AMS) winning the ARCA Menards Series East (AMSE) Championship for the second consecutive year and the Sioux Chief Showdown. Smith won six AMS races, five AMSE races, 12 AMS/AMSE pole awards, and finished in the top five in 15 of the 16 races he ran.

“This is an opportunity I have been working towards,” Smith said. “I can’t wait to get behind the wheel fulltime and am looking forward to a great season. I learned a lot in 2022 that will really help me to be competitive and run up front in the Xfinity Series. Thank you to Pilot Flying J, TMC Transportation, Allstate Peterbilt Group, and Toyota Racing Development for supporting me in my racing career. I am excited for next year and appreciate the opportunity.”

Pilot Flying J will continue their primary partnership with the No. 18 and Smith in 2023 after supporting the driver throughout his 2022 NXS stint.

“We’re thrilled to continue our support of Sammy and look forward to seeing him on the track representing Pilot Flying J and the transportation industry,” said David Hughes, Senior Vice President of Sales for Pilot Flying J.

TMC Transportation saw success with Smith as his primary partner during the 2022 AMS/AMSE seasons. The driver/sponsor pair hope to continue their winning ways as Smith moves up to run the full NXS schedule.

“TMC is proud to continue its support of Sammy Smith as he takes on the 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series, said Jason Webb, Executive Vice President of Asset Management at TMC. “Sammy has been a great ambassador for TMC – on and off the track. His growth as a driver is remarkable and we are very impressed with his accomplishments. We can’t wait to see what he will do in the upcoming year.”

Allstate Peterbilt will also return to the team as a primary partner in 2023. Renda Group, Sinclair Tractor, and Mobil 1 are among other sponsors that will support Smith throughout the season. Jeff Meendering will serve as the crew chief for the No. 18 in 2023. Smith will be eligible to run for the series championship by running the full 2023 schedule.

MEDIA NOTE: Smith will conduct media availability on Thursday, December 8 at 11:30 AM during the Toyota press conference at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

About Pilot Flying J:

Pilot Flying J, the largest network of travel centers in North America, is committed to connecting people and places with comfort, care, and a smile at every stop. The Pilot Flying J Travel Center network includes over 750 locations in 44 states and six Canadian provinces with more than 680 restaurants, 75,000 truck parking spaces, 5,300 deluxe showers, 6,200 diesel lanes and offers truck maintenance and tire service through Southern Tire Mart at Pilot Flying J. Details on locations, amenities and rewards are available in the myRewards PlusTM app. More information on Pilot Flying J is available at www.pilotflyingj.com.

Pilot Flying J is part of the Pilot Company family of brands. Founded in 1958 and headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, Pilot Company is currently ranked No. 7 on Forbes' list of America's Largest Private Companies. For additional information about Pilot Company, its 30,000 team members and commitment to giving back, visit www.pilotcompany.com.

About TMC Transportation:

TMC Transportation celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2022 and is the nation’s largest employee-owned open deck transportation company. TMC provides expert transportation services and supply-chain management solutions throughout the 48 contiguous states. Founded in 1972, TMC is headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, and is known for its integrity, innovation, superior safety record, and dedication to quality and customer service. The company’s claim-free and on-time delivery record is the best in the business and is consistently recognized by its customers. Visit tmctrans.com.

About Allstate Peterbilt Group:

Celebrating 50 years of excellent service in 2021 and yet another Peterbilt dealer of the year award in 2022. Today with twenty-plus locations throughout the upper Midwest, Allstate Peterbilt Group is among the fastest-growing and most successful truck dealer groups in the nation. At Allstate Peterbilt we never lose sight of what made all of it possible. We focus on offering everything our customers need to run their business successfully: a wide selection of new and used trucks for every application, an unmatched inventory of parts for every make and model, rental and finance options for all kinds of trucks and trailers, and mobile and in-store service solutions. We offer a one-stop solution for any trucking need. Allstate Peterbilt Group is proud to support the 3 ½ million truck drivers that move our goods across the United States with our truck sales, parts, service, and mobile service divisions in the upper Midwest. Mostly, we are excited to be part of an industry that keeps America moving. Visit allstatepeterbilt.com.

About Joe Gibbs Racing:

Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) is one of the premier organizations in NASCAR with four NASCAR Cup Series teams, three NASCAR Xfinity Series teams, and a driver development program. JGR is based in Huntersville, N.C., and owned by NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Joe Gibbs, who also earned his place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and was named as one of the NFL’s top 10 coaches of all-time with a winning career that included three Super Bowl Championships as head coach of the Washington franchise. JGR has competed in NASCAR since 1992, winning five Cup Series championships and six Xfinity Series owner’s championships, along with more than 350 NASCAR races, including four Brickyard 400s and four Daytona 500s. Visit joegibbsracing.com.