Chandler Smith and Front Row Motorsports are set to part ways at the end of 2026. In a statement released early Tuesday morning, the team revealed that the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver will not be returning to the No. 38 Ford F‑150 in 2027. FRM expressed gratitude toward Smith for being a great representative of their Truck Series program, noting that the partnership produced meaningful results across two seasons and carried weight within the organization’s developmental ladder.

However, the team acknowledged that the decision reflects broader long‑term planning and the increasingly competitive nature of its driver pipeline. Smith’s departure closes a statistically strong chapter for both sides. Across 2025 and 2026, Smith delivered four wins, 18 top‑five finishes, 27 top‑10s, and more than 250 laps led, establishing himself as one of the most reliable performers in the series.

Yet his 2026 season stood out most, highlighted by a dominant victory at North Wilkesboro where he led the final 105 laps and won by more than eight seconds over teammate Layne Riggs. That margin remains one of the largest recorded on a Truck Series short track in the modern era, a performance that carried weight in FRM’s internal evaluations of its competitive trajectory.

FRM emphasized Smith’s consistency, adaptability, and data‑driven approach, noting that he averaged a top‑12 finish across his tenure and secured a 3rd-place points ranking in 2026. But the organization also faces a crowded future. With Zane Smith, Todd Gilliland, and Noah Gragson locked into multi‑year Cup Series commitments and rising talents like Riggs pushing for expanded opportunities, FRM must balance development priorities with long‑term roster stability.

The team stated that the move allows both parties to pursue “the next phase” of their competitive goals, yet made clear that Smith’s contributions will be remembered. As for Smith, the 21‑year‑old leaves FRM with momentum and a strengthened résumé. His ability to contend for wins on intermediates, short tracks, and road courses alike ensures he will be one of the most sought‑after free agents entering the 2027 cycle. However, his next destination has not yet been announced, leaving the industry to speculate on where his proven racecraft and playoff-caliber consistency will land next.

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