Sammy Smith is one of the rising stars of American Motorsports and he is heading to Anderson Speedway in Indiana for the Redbud 400 on Monday, July 12.
The red hot 17 year-old driver just captured a big money payday in the American Freedom 300 at Jennerstown Speedway in Pennsylvania this past weekend. Add that with being the first car across the finish line earlier this year at Five Flags Speedway in Florida and he’s been “Super” this year.
Yet, this emerging Super Late Model ace has also been pretty sporty in the stock car wars as well. Sammy Smith has won three of the five ARCA Menards Series East races this year while driving for Joe Gibbs Racing.
Now, Smith’s focus is solely on the Greg Hubler Automotive Group Redbud 400 presented by Mitch Smith and Perfecto this coming Monday.
“It would be one of the biggest wins of my career if we can get it done,” admitted Smith. “Jennerstown really set the bar for us. It was great to do that after having won at Pensacola a couple weeks ago, but then got disqualified for carburetor issues,” Smith said. “Anderson is a tough place, but we’re ready to win again.”
Since leaving the World Series of Asphalt back in February, Smith has been in contention in every race he has contested in the Donnie Wilson No.22. He has finished in the top-five in all but three races he has contested. He also finished fourth with the ARCA Midwest Tour event at The Milwaukee Mile on June 20.
Another thing in Smith’s favor heading into the Redbud 400; the Iowa native finished third in the race one year ago.
“I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve been there twice, in a Pro car in 2019 and in a Super last year in the 400 and we finished on the podium. It’s one of my favorite tracks,” stated Smith. “I’m really looking forward to getting back there with Donnie Wilson and the whole TMC crew. Hopefully we can make it two spots better this year.”
Smith practicing for the 54th Annual Redbud 400 in 2020 (Bruce Nuttleman Photo)
His podium result in last year’s race was while racing with Kyle Busch Motorsports. The lessons learned from that event, especially late in the race when his car came to life during the final 75 lap run to the checkered, were invaluable to help him contend in this year’s edition of the historic race.
“I think the biggest thing I learned is you’ve got to be there at the end, keep the fenders on it and try not to beat it up too much in the beginning part of it. We struggled last year on short runs and I think that’s a theme there, you need to be able to fire off good and be aggressive on restarts. I’ll focus more on short runs and trying to get our car handling better on short and long runs.”
The Redbud 400 has been a race Smith has been looking forward to ever since the date was released earlier this year. Now he is hoping to leave Central Indiana with his name on the winners list.
“Every time we’ve shown up at the racetrack we’ve had a chance to win or be competitive. I’m really looking forward to it; this is one race I’ve had circled on my calendar. It’s a big crown jewel event in my opinion and hopefully we can lead a bunch of laps and go win.”
Fans are encouraged to get their discounted tickets now for all the excitement on the quarter-mile bullring. General admission tickets are available currently at $20 per person. On the day of the event those tickets will be $25 each.
The one-day show will be a busy one at Anderson Speedway. After car preparation and practice, qualifying is slated for Super Late Models at 4:30pm ET. Fans will be treated to an autograph session at 5:30pm, with pre-race ceremonies and the race slated for 7:30pm.
Fans wishing to save $5 and purchase their tickets now for the Redbud 400 on Monday, July 12, can do so by calling the speedway office at 765-642-0206.
Be sure to tell everyone you know about the Greg Hubler Automotive Group Redbud 400 presented by Mitch Smith Auto Service and Perfecto. You can do so by utilizing Anderson’s Speedway’s social media. For Twitter & Facebook, it’s @AndersonSpeedwy, but also check out our Instagram at @AndersonSpeedway. For additional info please visit our website at andersonspeedway.com.
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