Smith was largely retired from racing last season and working as a TV pit reporter at NASCAR events. He did step into the No. 95 Toyota of Leavine Family Racing near the end of the season to relieve Kasey Kahne in that car. In 11 starts he earned one Top-10 finish. We don't expect to see Smith racing in 2019, and expect him to return to NASCAR television work.

Smith saw his team at Tommy Baldwin Racing close at the conclusion of the 2016 season. The NASCAR veteran is now a free agent driver and is searching for opportunities to drive in all three national touring series of NASCAR. UPDATE - Smith signed with Ricky Benton Racing to drive the No. 92 Ford truck in the Camping World Truck Series. He will race in only a part-time capacity this season. Probably 12 of the 23 events.

Smith signed on in January to replace Michael Annett in the No. 7 TBR Chevrolet in 2016.

Smith will be demoted to full-time racing in the Nationwide Series this season, but he gets a major upgrade in team performance. The former Furniture Row Racing driver takes the wheel of JR Motorsports No. 7 Chevrolet this season. Smith made one start for this team at the end of 2012. It resulted in a victory in the season finale at Homestead. This is likely a preview of what’s to come from this driver and team in 2013. Smith hasn’t raced full-time in this series since 2006 and he’s never enjoyed that much success in Nationwide racing, but that’s of little concern. Smith is a much more polished driver now than in 2006, and he’s got one of the top teams in the series at his disposal.