GAFFNEY, S.C. — After making his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut at Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway this past November, Garrett Smithley has found a home for the 2016 NASCAR race season at JD Motorsports with Gary Keller.
The 23-year-old Peachtree City, Ga. native will pilot the No. 0 Chevrolet Camaro in the Xfinity Series beginning with the Heads Up Georgia 250 at Atlanta Motor Speedway Feb. 27.
“Just a few years ago, the thought of racing in NASCAR was just a dream, and now after a successful 2015 debut season in the Camping World Truck Series, I have the chance to climb another big step up the racing ladder,” Smithley said. “This opportunity with JD Motorsports with Gary Keller is incredible and was completely unexpected.
“I really didn’t know what was in store for me in 2016. We had some ideas after Homestead last year, but nothing solid materialized, and when I got the call from Johnny Davis to drive the 0 car, I was ecstatic! This is a huge opportunity, and I’m so excited to kick-off the season at my home track, Atlanta Motor Speedway.”
Smithley began his racing career in 2007, driving Bandolero cars on various short tracks in his adopted home state of Georgia. He was awarded rookie of the year honors at Atlanta Motor Speedway. His natural talent helped him win multiple races, and he quickly progressed to the ultra-competitive U.S. Legend Car Series, where he won four championships.
Smithley made his stock car debut in 2013 with the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway, turning-in a solid performance at the “Tricky Triangle.” He gained more valuable experience in the ARCA Racing Series at Kentucky Speedway, Talladega Superspeedway, Daytona International Speedway and again at Pocono Raceway.
Smithley made his Camping World Truck Series debut at Atlanta one year ago. Following a respectable 18th-place effort, MB Motorsports owner Mike Mittler gave him the opportunity to race three more times in the No. 63 Chevy Silverado at Pocono, Michigan International Speedway and Homestead-Miami Speedway. Smithley made his Xfinity debut at Homestead, as well. He drove the No. 70 SegPay Chevrolet Camaro for former Daytona 500 champion Derrike Cope.
“One of the many things that I have always enjoyed during my time as a team owner has been giving young drivers a shot at this great sport,” Davis said. “Garrett has a lot of talent, and I’ve been very impressed by what he’s done in the past. I think this relationship will be beneficial to all of us.”
JD Motorsports is a three-car team competing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Johnny Davis, CEO & general manager, has been involved in NASCAR competition for over 27 years and launched his own team in 2002. Davis and his team are determined to build race teams with character that will paint a professional image and offer cost-effective advertising and marketing programs to sponsors and provide exciting entertainment to the fans, while keeping in mind our ultimate goal: “Winning while Enjoying the Sport”.
The team operates full time in the Xfinity Series with Ryan Preece in the No. 01, Ross Chastain in the No. 4 and Garrett Smithley sharing the No. 0 with other drivers throughout the 2016 season.
Smithley will be in the driver’s seat of the No. 0 Chevrolet Camaro for JD Motorsports in multiple races throughout the 2016. Future races will be announced as the season progresses. He will compete for the 2016 NASCAR Xfinity Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year award.
For more information about Smithley, visit his website at www.garrettsmithley.com, follow him on Twitter @GarrettSmithley and “like” him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/GarrettSmithleyRacing. Additional Information regarding JD Motorsports with Gary Keller can be found at http://teamjdmotorsports.com. You can follow the team on Twitter @JDMotorsports01, and “like” it on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/JDMotorsports0101/?fref=ts.
