Brad Jones Racing’s Jack Smith will step down from his full-time Repco Supercars Championship seat following the VAILO Adelaide 500 this weekend.
Smith made his Repco Supercars Championship debut back in 2019 as a Wildcard at Symmons Plains, reaching the 50 round milestone earlier this season.
Making the step up to full-time competition in 2020, Smith has finished a best of 21st in the championship during the 2021 season and has been a mainstay of Brad Jones Racing all the way through his development stages.
Racing in a MARC Car and the Australian Formula 4 Championship in 2016, Smith joined Brad Jones Racing the next year in the Kumho V8 Touring Car Series where he took the title. Smith also contested the Dunlop Super2 Series as he finished 21st.
Completing a partial program in the Kumho V8 Touring Car Series, Smith won multiple races as he went on to score 10th in Dunlop Super2 and won the New Zealand V8 Touring Car Series during the summer.
Another 10th in Super2 in 2019 led to Smith’s graduation to the Repco Supercars Championship for 2020.
Smith will step down for 2024 leaving one of Brad Jones Racing’s Chevrolet Camaro ZL1s open.
“This isn’t a decision we’ve come to lightly, Supercars have been such a big part of my life,” said Smith. “I came into it when I was quite young and have really grown up in the paddock.
“It’s just the right time for us now to take this step back.
“I can’t thank everyone from the SCT Logistics crew and the team at Brad Jones Racing enough for everything over the last seven years.
“We all set out on this ride together and it’s been quite a learning experience for us all and I’d like to thank all the fans who’ve supported me.
“I’ve been with BJR for basically my entire career, and they’ve been an amazing team to work with and guide me on my journey.”
Team Owner Brad Jones reflected on Smith’s journey with the Albury-based squad.
“It’s hard to believe it’s been seven years with Jack in the team,” remarked Jones.
“I remember when I met Jack when he was quite young – he was quiet, polite and always willing to listen, over the years that never changed.
“We have been fortunate enough to win a championship together, which you don’t get to do every day.
“I hope we will still see plenty of Jack at the circuit and I would like to wish him well for the future road ahead.
“Jack and his family have been incredibly loyal to me and that’s a rare trait to see in this industry, they have all been a part of our own family over this time and we’ve enjoyed a great relationship.”
Andre Heimgartner, Bryce Fullwood and Macauley Jones have all been confirmed for next year, with current Dunlop Super2 driver Zak Best linked to replace Smith.