(photo credit Leon Hammack)

Following a strong season in his first year at Front Row Motorsports driving the No. 38 Ford F-150, Chandler Smith is now set to return to the organization for the 2026 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series season.

Expanding to a two-truck team operation at the end of the 2024 season, Front Row Motorsports tapped Smith to take the reins of the No. 38 Ford F-150 for the 2025 Truck Series season. Smith went on to win two races, dominating at Bristol in the Spring and capturing a statement victory at the historic North Wilkesboro Speedway. Over the course of the season, he earned five top-five and 16 top-10 finishes.

“It’s incredible what this group accomplished in just one season,” said Smith. “When I came to Front Row on such short notice, no one expected us to make a playoff run — but this team never backed down. The work, the belief, and the effort they put in made all the difference. I’m excited for what’s ahead and confident in what we can achieve together.”

Jon Leonard will return to Front Row Motorsports to call the shots for Smith and the No. 38 team. This will be Leonard’s sixth year in the Truck Series and sixth year as a Truck Series crew chief.

“I’m looking forward to working with Chandler (Smith) again,” said Leonard. “We have a mutual trust for each other; we just click. He knows what he needs out of the truck to be better and he communicates that well. That level of clarity makes my job easier, and together I think we can build something strong right out of the gate.”

Smith and the No. 38 team will now shift their focus to the Fresh From Florida 250 at the Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, an event that FRM has won two times in 2022 and 2023.

Announcements regarding the partner lineup for the No. 38 Ford F-150 will come at a later date.

TIL NEXT TIME, I AM STILL WORKING ON MY REDNECK!