NASCAR Xfinity racer Smith joins Van der Steur for Pilot Challenge at Daytona
Yesterday at 02:06 PM
NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Sammy Smith will enter the Michelin Pilot Challenge BMW M Endurance Classic at Daytona on January 24.
Smith will drive for Van der Steur Racing (VDSR), driving the No.82 Aston Martin AMR Vantage GT4 alongside co-driver Brady Behrman who will return for his third season with the team.
The 20-year-old driver from Iowa had a successful test in the Vantage GT4 in December in preparation for his multi-class endurance racing debut.
"I was able to test the car at Daytona in December and learned a lot," Smith explained. "These cars are very different than our NASCAR Xfinity cars. I appreciate Van der Steur Racing and Brady Behrman giving me the opportunity. I'm looking forward to this race."
2025 will be Smith’s second year with JR Motorsports in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. He remains behind the wheel of the No.8 Chevrolet, but this time the number will be in the same style as the one Dale Earnhardt Jr. used from 2000-2007.
Behrman, who also tested VDSR’s new Vantage GT3 at Daytona, commented: "I'm beyond excited for the 4-Hour BMW M Endurance Challenge at Daytona. It's an incredible opportunity to team up with Sammy, whose talent and drive are going to be a huge asset to our team.
"This marks my third season with Van der Steur Racing, and looking back on everything we've accomplished together, I couldn't be prouder. We're definitely looking to build on that momentum as we head into 2025, and what better way to kick things off than at Daytona."
Smith joins a growing line of young NASCAR drivers that have competed in the Michelin Pilot Challenge race before the Rolex 24 At Daytona. Last year, Toyota-backed drivers Bubba Wallace, John Hunter Nemecheck, and Corey Heim drove a Toyota GR Supra GT4. In 2023, Harrison Burton and Zane Smith won the race in a Ford Mustang GT4.