Front Row Motorsports will run it back in 2026 with the exact same two-driver lineup in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. On Tuesday, the team officially announced that Chandler Smith will return to the No. 38 Ford F-150 next season to continue as the teammate to Layne Riggs, the driver of the No. 34 Ford F-150.
Smith, who claimed two victories in his first campaign with the Front Row Motorsports program in 2025, feels like what he and his team were able to pull off in 2025 was remarkable, given the short turnaround to form their program.
“It’s incredible what this group accomplished in just one season,” said Smith in a press release. “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, who was paired with Smith a season ago, will also return as the crew chief for the No. 38 driver and team. Leonard, who enters his sixth season as a crew chief in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, is excited to rejoin Smith in 2026.
“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.”
Front Row Motorsports will announce the sponsorship partners for Smith and the No. 38 team at a later date.
Early in the 2025 season, it looked like the 23-year-old Smith was going to be a formidable threat for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series title. The native of Talking Rock, GA, captured two wins in the opening six races of the season, including a win at Bristol, where he outdueled Kyle Larson. But down the stretch, Smith and the No. 38 team ran out of steam and ran into some bad luck in the Playoffs, which ultimately ended their bid for a championship.
Still, Smith ended the season eighth in the championship standings in his first year with Front Row Motorsports. They’ll look to build upon that in 2026.
