Young NASCAR Driver Sammy Smith Teams Up with Van der Steur for Daytona Pilot Challenge
NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Sammy Smith is making headlines once again as he gears up to enter the Michelin Pilot Challenge BMW M Endurance Classic at Daytona on January 24. Smith, a 20-year-old driver hailing from Iowa, is set to drive for Van der Steur Racing (VDSR), taking the wheel of the No.82 Aston Martin AMR Vantage GT4 alongside co-driver Brady Behrman, who is returning for his third season with the team.
From NASCAR Xfinity Series to Endurance Racing
Smith, who is currently in his second year with JR Motorsports in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, is excited to embark on his endurance racing debut. Following a successful test in the Vantage GT4 at Daytona in December, Smith shared, “These cars are very different than our NASCAR Xfinity cars. I appreciate Van der Steur Racing and Brady Behrman giving me the opportunity. I’m looking forward to this race.”
Behrman, who also tested VDSR’s new Vantage GT3 at Daytona, expressed his enthusiasm for teaming up with Smith, highlighting the young driver’s talent and drive as assets to the team. Behrman’s confidence in their partnership reflects the camaraderie and shared goal of building on past successes as they head into the 2025 season.
Continuing a Legacy of Rising Stars
Smith joins a cohort of young NASCAR drivers who have made their mark in the Michelin Pilot Challenge race before the prestigious Rolex 24 At Daytona. The transition from NASCAR to endurance racing showcases the versatility and skill of these drivers, with past competitors like Bubba Wallace, John Hunter Nemechek, and Corey Heim leaving their mark on the track.
As Smith and Behrman prepare to take on the 4-Hour BMW M Endurance Challenge at Daytona, the motorsport world eagerly anticipates the dynamic duo’s performance and the excitement they will bring to the track. Stay tuned as this young NASCAR driver shifts gears and embraces the challenges of endurance racing, adding a new chapter to his racing journey.