Dale Earnhardt Jr. walked out of Martinsville Speedway feeling something he rarely felt in decades of racing: shame. The track where he’d made countless memories had just delivered one of the most frustrating nights of his NASCAR career—not because of the result, but because of how the race unfolded. “I’ve never been more disappointed leaving Martinsville,” Earnhardt said on the Dale Jr. Download. That disappointment was centered on his JR Motorsports driver, Sammy Smith.
The race had run almost half the time under caution, but the final lap drama left Dale Jr. reeling. In Turn 3, with less than a lap to go, a bold move from the JR Motorsports driver became a mess. In an aggressive attempt to take the lead, he deliberately spun race leader Taylor Gray, creating a massive pileup, allowing Austin Hill to win the race while Gray finished 29th. Shockingly, after going from 2nd to 10th on the last lap, Smith backed his move in a post-race interview, claiming, “Absolutely, it was egregious… but he would’ve done the same thing to me.”
Dale Jr. was livid, and not just as a team owner. “We’ve got to teach these guys how to race with respect,” he said. However, to his credit, Smith eventually apologized. Days later, at Darlington, he admitted he’d crossed a line and hoped to earn back the garage’s respect. But while he may have made peace with Dale Jr. and some in the garage, NASCAR fans have been far less forgiving. Now, as he prepares for his Truck Series return, many see his comeback not as a second chance—but as a mistake.
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Sammy Smith fails to get fans’ respect!
Sammy Smith is back in a truck. He joins Spire Motorsports to drive the No. 07 Gainbridge Chevrolet Silverado RST in the 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. It’s a new chapter, and it starts at Rockingham Speedway. The team, already packed with top-tier talent like Kyle Larson, Kyle Busch, and William Byron, added Smith to their growing roster. He’s not a stranger to the Truck garage either.
In his four previous starts with Spire, he racked up one top-five and three top-ten finishes. His testing at Rockingham earlier this year showed promise. On paper, it all adds up. But while Smith prepares for the Black’s Tire 200 on April 18, fans aren’t lining up to cheer. Instead, they are hitting back at the decision. One fan summed up the mood, saying, “Oh boy, now we have Killdozer in a truck.” That’s the tone surrounding Smith’s return.
Many see his aggressive style and lack of remorse at Martinsville as a warning sign. They remember how he shoved Taylor Gray out of the way, claimed Gray flipped him off, and refused to show regret until a $25,000 fine, 50-point penalty, and a NASCAR-mandated meeting forced his hand. Now, just weeks later, he’s being handed a high-profile Truck Series ride. The timing couldn’t be worse.
However, statistically, Smith has earned his seat. In the Xfinity Series, he has two wins, 15 top fives, and 37 top 10s in 83 starts. He’s shown flashes of elite talent. Last season, Dale Jr.’s prodigy ran four Truck Series races with Spire and finished in the top 10 three times. But for fans, the issue isn’t performance. It’s attitude. They’ve labeled him reckless. And when Spire Motorsports confirmed his return, many weren’t just surprised—they were angry.
Smith’s attitude also didn’t help his case. His post-race comments and week-long defense of his move only fueled the anger. “Going on the back straightaway, I thought to myself, what would he have done in this same situation, and he would’ve done the exact same thing. He was flipping me off, and that right there was the line for me to ultimately make the decision that I made,” he had said. That comment hit hard. It cemented the idea that Smith didn’t care about consequences or reputation.
However, he’s not the only controversial name heading to Rockingham. Katherine Legge, who made headlines after wrecking with teammate Daniel Suarez during her Cup debut at Phoenix, is also returning. She’ll pilot Jordan Anderson Racing’s No. 32 car in her first Xfinity race of 2025. Legge, scheduled for seven Xfinity and Cup races this year, brings her own share of scrutiny. NASCAR fans haven’t forgotten Phoenix, where she spun out twice and ended Daniel Suarez’s race. Now, Rockingham will host not just one but two drivers who’ve become lightning rods.
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Fans rip into Dale Jr.’s prodigy!
When Spire Motorsports announced Sammy Smith’s Truck Series return, the internet lit up. And not in celebration. NASCAR Fans on Reddit weren’t just skeptical—they were outright angry. The nickname “Killdozer” may sound harsh, but it reflects a deeper fear: that Smith’s aggressive style hasn’t changed, despite his apology tour. A fan summed up the mood: “Boo this man, but for real I’d rather see someone else in the truck.” Another user echoed the sentiments, saying, “All those poor truck drivers.”
These takes aren’t isolated. Fans widely believe Smith timed his comeback poorly and didn’t deserve the opportunity. His aggressive move at Martinsville wasn’t just a racing incident—it showed how poorly some young drivers handle pressure. Despite the fine and points penalty NASCAR hit him with, fans still aren’t done with him.
One fan pointed out the disconnect between accountability and opportunity: “Probably the worst time to announce him driving one of your cars.” The optics were off. Just days after becoming the face of dirty driving, Smith is back with a new ride. NASCAR insiders understand that Spire sees value in Smith’s talent. But fans aren’t interested in spreadsheets. They want respect, responsibility, and consequences. And right now, they don’t think Smith is paying a steep enough price.
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Still, some are holding out hope. One fan noted, “Hopefully, he’s learned from his recent mistakes.” That slim margin of grace might be all Smith has left. If he wants to win back the fanbase, it’ll take more than fast laps. It’ll take discipline, humility, and clean racing. But the microscope on Smith is bigger now. The pressure is real. The reaction is fierce. And Rockingham may not be a comeback—it may be a crucible. Do you think Sammy Smith can redeem himself in the court of public opinion? Let us know in the comments!