Two more pieces of the NASCAR Silly Season have fallen into place with the signing of an Xfinity Series driver and the resigning of a Cup Series driver.
Earlier this season Stewart-Haas Racing announced that Xfinity Series driver Josh Berry would be moving on from JR Motorsports to take over the driving duties for the retiring Kevin Harvick at the end of the season.
On September 26, JR Motorsports named the newest driver of the number eight JRM car to replace Josh Berry. Currently driving the number 18 car for Joe Gibbs Racing, 19 year old Sammy Smith will take over
Driving for Berry. Smith is among the 12 Xfinity Series playoff drivers and is currently in sixth place.
Smith is a two time ARCA Series East champion who is in his rookie year as an Xfinity Series driver.
Smith will join JRM drivers Sam Mayer, Justin Allgaier, and Brandon Jones for the 2024 racing season; all of whom have signed contracts to remain at JRM.
In a busy day for Stewart-Haas Racing, Cup Series driver Ryan Preece has agreed to remain as the driver of the number 41 car for another year. Preece made his return to the Cup Series in 2023. Cole Custer drives full time for SHR in the Xfinity Series.
When Preece announced his return to SHR he said he was, “looking forward to it.”