No more planned Cup races for Garrett Smithley as this time

HAMPTON, Ga. — Garrett Smithley’s start with Spire Motorsports Sunday at Atlanta Motor Speedway was a one-race deal at this time, the driver confirmed to The Racing Experts.

Smithley made his first start in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series in the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 for the single-car operation, finishing 36th, 71 laps down.

“We had a little bit of an ignition issue at the start of the race, but we got that all fixed and got out,” Smithley said.

Smithley said he got the call to drive the No. 77 Chevrolet last Monday afternoon at Atlanta. The 27-year-old driver said the car used at Atlanta will be racing again next week at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

“I’m hoping that there’s more,” Smithley said about driving in more races for Spire Motorsports. “I think this was sort of an audition for Spire Motorsports, for lack of a better term.

“So I hope that there’s more opportunities, but even if there’s not, I’m super excited for the opportunity and glad we brought it home in one piece.”

Smithley, a full-time competitor in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, has competed in a total of four Cup Series races with a career-high of 32nd-place last August at Michigan International Speedway.

“This charter comes from Furniture Row and I think the goal here is to build it up like that,” Smithley said. “Who knows, with the right partnership and the right sponsors, we can do that.”