NASCAR: Joe Gibbs Racing driver to replace Josh Berry in 2024
By Asher Fair
Josh Berry is set to be replaced by Sammy Smith at JR Motorsports in the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series season, with Smith set to leave Joe Gibbs Racing.
JR Motorsports have solidified their full-time driver lineup for the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series season, confirming the only change on Tuesday.
After recently announcing that Sam Mayer, Justin Allgaier, and Brandon Jones are all set to return to the team next year, they have now officially confirmed Josh Berry’s replacement behind the wheel of the No. 8 Chevrolet.
Berry, who has competed for JR Motorsports full-time since last year after winning two races as a part-time driver in 2021, is set to move up to the Cup Series to replace Kevin Harvick at Stewart-Haas Racing behind the wheel of the No. 4 Ford.
Set to replace Josh Berry in the NASCAR Xfinity Series is current Joe Gibbs Racing driver Sammy Smith.
Smith is currently in his first full season with Joe Gibbs Racing in the Xfinity Series, but after spending the last several seasons with Toyota, including his championship-winning 2021 and 2022 ARCA Menards Series East seasons with Joe Gibbs Racing and Kyle Busch Motorsports, respectively, he is set to make the move to Chevrolet.
Toyota is the only manufacturer for which Smith has ever competed in NASCAR, but that is set to change. Pilot Flying J, which has sponsored his No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, is set to sponsor his No. 8 JR Motorsports Chevrolet next year as well.
In his rookie Xfinity Series season, Smith has recorded one win at Phoenix Raceway and an additional four top five finishes. Through two of three races in the opening round of 12 of the playoffs, he has himself positioned above the round of 8 cut line.
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With John Hunter Nemechek having been promoted to the Legacy Motor Club Cup Series team, Joe Gibbs Racing will once again lose both of their full-time Xfinity Series drivers in a single offseason. Last year, Ty Gibbs was promoted to his grandfather’s Cup Series, while the aforementioned Jones left for JR Motorsports.