Garrett Kirk Smithley Bio
Garrett Kirk Smithley (born April 27, 1992) is an American professional stock car racing driver. He has competed part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 14 Chevrolet Camaro SS for SS-Green Light Racing with BRK Racing. Smithley has also raced in the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, and ARCA Menards Series during his career.
Early Life and Background
Garrett Kirk Smithley was born in Ligonier, Pennsylvania, USA. His father and both grandfathers served in the military. At age six, Smithley moved to Virginia and later to Georgia in sixth grade. As a child, he was active in baseball, football, dance, chorus, and theater, attending McIntosh High School where he played lead roles in productions such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. He was also an active member of the Boy Scouts of America. Smithley credits his theater experience with building the confidence needed to pursue a career in racing.
Path to NASCAR
Smithley began racing in 2007 during his sophomore year of high school, starting with Bandolero cars at Atlanta Motor Speedway and Lanier National Speedway, earning Rookie of the Year honors in 2008. He progressed to Legends car racing with Peachtree City Golf Carts, a key partnership that helped him continue racing despite financial challenges. After high school, he was selected for the Richard Petty Driver Search program. Influenced by drivers Dale Jarrett and Carl Edwards, Smithley admired Jarrett’s American flag paint scheme and aspired to compete at the highest levels of stock car racing.
Garrett Kirk Smithley Career
Early Career (2007–2014)
Smithley’s early racing career included competing in Bandolero and Legends cars, where he developed foundational skills and earned recognition. In 2013, he made his stock car debut in the ARCA Racing Series, driving for Derrike Cope. He participated in a few ARCA events through 2015, gaining valuable experience on larger tracks and in more competitive fields.
NASCAR Xfinity Series Breakthrough (2015–Present)
Smithley made his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut in 2015 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, driving the No. 70 Chevrolet Camaro for Derrike Cope Racing. In 2016, he joined JD Motorsports to compete for Rookie of the Year honors, running nearly a full schedule and finishing 18th in points. He achieved multiple top-15 finishes, particularly excelling on restrictor plate tracks like Talladega. In 2017, Smithley continued with JD Motorsports, scoring his first two top-10 finishes and leading his first lap at Talladega. Despite a challenging season, he took on additional responsibilities such as securing sponsorships to support his racing career.
In 2018, Smithley remained with JD Motorsports, earning his first top-five finish by placing fifth in the season opener. He switched crew chiefs to Wayne Carroll and briefly changed car numbers to accommodate team strategies. Smithley returned to JD Motorsports in 2019 and paid tribute to Mike Mittler, the late MB Motorsports owner who gave him his first Truck Series opportunity. In 2020, he joined SS-Green Light Racing through an alliance with Rick Ware Racing, expanding his presence in the Xfinity Series. Smithley continued to compete part-time with various teams in 2022 and 2023, including B. J. McLeod Motorsports, DGM Racing, and JD Motorsports, adapting to changing team dynamics and sponsorship situations.
NASCAR Cup Series and Craftsman Truck Series (2018–Present)
Smithley debuted in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2018 with StarCom Racing but retired early due to mechanical issues. He ran additional Cup races in 2018 and 2019 with teams including Premium Motorsports and Spire Motorsports, aiming to establish himself among top competitors. In 2019, he achieved a 28th-place finish at the Brickyard 400, marking a career highlight. Smithley continued part-time Cup Series racing with Rick Ware Racing through 2022, securing a best finish of 21st at Auto Club Speedway. In the Truck Series, he debuted in 2015 with MB Motorsports and made sporadic starts through 2020 with teams like Chad Finley Racing and Niece Motorsports, gaining experience across NASCAR’s national divisions.
Driving Style and Strengths
Smithley is known for his adaptability across multiple NASCAR series and track types. He demonstrates resilience and strategic racecraft, often balancing aggressive driving with calculated moves to maximize finishes. His experience with various teams and crew chiefs has honed his communication and technical feedback, contributing to consistent performances in part-time schedules.
Notable Races and Milestones
Smithley’s first top-five finish in the Xfinity Series came in the 2018 season opener, a milestone that showcased his potential. His debut in the NASCAR Cup Series and participation in the Brickyard 400 represent key moments in his career. Additionally, leading laps at Talladega in the Xfinity Series highlights his competitiveness on superspeedways.
Garrett Kirk Smithley Career Wins
While Smithley has not recorded wins in NASCAR’s top national series, he has achieved significant milestones including top-five and top-ten finishes in the Xfinity Series and strong performances in regional and developmental racing series. His career reflects steady progress and perseverance in highly competitive environments.
Xfinity Series Highlights
Smithley’s Xfinity Series career includes multiple top-10 finishes and a notable top-five at the 2018 season opener. He has led laps at superspeedway events, demonstrating his skill on high-speed tracks. His consistent participation across seasons has established him as a reliable competitor in the series.
Other Wins & Performances
Smithley earned Rookie of the Year honors in Bandolero cars in 2008 and has competed successfully in Legends car racing. His early career achievements laid the foundation for his advancement to NASCAR’s national series.
Garrett Kirk Smithley Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Smithley comes from a family with a strong military background, with his father and grandfathers serving in the armed forces. There is no public record of a family history in professional racing, indicating that Smithley’s motorsports career is self-driven.
Personal Life
Smithley has not publicly disclosed details about a spouse or children. He remains active on social media platforms and has expressed aspirations to become a television announcer after his racing career. His diverse interests during youth, including theater and scouting, have contributed to his confidence and public presence.
2025 Season Performance
For the 2025 season, Garrett Smithley is slated to drive the No. 14 Chevrolet Camaro SS full-time for SS-Green Light Racing, with BRK Racing holding an ownership stake in the car. Early in the season, Smithley announced a strategic decision to miss the Circuit of The Americas race to allow teammate Carson Hocevar to qualify the car, aiming to secure a successful season overall. Smithley is expected to return for subsequent races, including Phoenix. This season marks a significant opportunity for Smithley to establish a full-time presence and build momentum in the Xfinity Series.
