Smith’s Cup Series career began in 2007 when he shared the No. 01 U.S. Army ride with veteran driver Mark Martin and fellow rookie Aric Almirola. He also competed in 17 Busch Series events and collected his first career pole at Kentucky Speedway. Smith made seven Cup starts in the No. 01 before the team became part of Dale Earnhardt Inc. and Smith moved to Ginn Racing’s development team in the Truck Series to finish out the 2007 season.

At just age 24, Smith already has 20 years of racing experience. He first strapped into a gokart at the age of four in his hometown of Cato , N.Y. , located 25 miles west of Syracuse . He joined the World Karting Association (WKA) at 12. As a teenager, he won divisional, regional and state championships in a quarter-midget type race car in the Syracuse area and throughout New York .

In 1996, Smith took the championship in the WKA Grand National Series and the WKA Manufacturer’s Cup in 1997. He continued his success with the Canadian Grand National (KART) championship in 1998. He went on to race in the Allison Legacy Series and the USAR Hooters ProCup Series where he set a record four poles in the 2001 season, including three in a row. Smith won the 2001 Allison Legacy Series championship along with taking Rookie of the Year honors the same year.

Smith began his NASCAR care er at age 18 in the Craftsman Truck Series in 2002, driving two races in the series. He also made his NASCAR Busch Series debut that year at Memphis Motorsports Park . Smith competed in 18 Busch Series events for three different owners in 2003.