Having worked as
a part-time officer for the past three years, Garrett Smithley he stood up again. On Tuesday, BJ McLeod Motorsports announced that it will run full NASCAR Xfinity Series Roadmap in 2023 with the #78 Chevrolet Camaro.
“I have been racing Garrett for a number of years and I respect his drive, his talent and his passion.” said the owner of the team BJ McLeod. “I often tell people that he ‘made it’ and most people don’t understand what I mean by that. His story is truly one of hard work, passion and talent. The skill that Garrett has displayed behind the wheel for several years, including racing around me, is something I wish more people had a front row seat like mine.
“Jessica McLeod and I’m very honored to have Garrett represent us and drive for us. The future is bright.”
Smithley was an Xfinity regular for JD Motorsports from 2016 to 2019, in which he had four top ten finishes and a best points finish of 18th in his first year. He left JDM after 2019 and entered the Cup Series more frequently, competing in a total of fifty-eight races over the next three seasons. In 2022 he did five cup races with Rick Ware Racing and his best finish was 21st at Fontana.
After driving the Charlotte Xfinity race for DGM Racing in May, he rejoined BJMM at Kansas in September as a backup in the #5 for the sick. matte mills. He rode two more times in the #78 BJMM at Texas and Las Vegas with a best streak of 25 places in the latter.
“I have always had
great respect for BJ and his organization,” Smithley commented. “It is extremely difficult to compete at this level. Few understand the effort and sacrifice it requires. For nearly a decade, BJ has been involved in NASCAR national car or truck racing. The whole team does not try to hide behind the struggles of the last few months or even years. I wholeheartedly believe that with a little hard work and focus we can surprise some people in this community with great races and results.”
Number 78 is thirty-sixth in property points. joseph williams he started the season as a full-time rider before leaving the team in August, along with other riders including Mills, brandon brown, scott heckert, Stephen Parsonsand McLeod himself.
