R. J. Smotherman (born March 27, 2005) is an American professional stock car racing driver who competes part-time in the ARCA Menards Series West, driving the No. 46 Ford for Lowden Jackson Motorsports and the No. 38 Chevrolet for Kart Idaho Racing, and part-time in both the ARCA Menards Series East and the main ARCA Menards Series driving for Lowden Jackson.

R. J. Smotherman
Smotherman at All American Speedway in 2023
BornR. J. Smotherman
(2005-03-27) March 27, 2005 (age 19)
Pahrump, Nevada
ARCA Menards Series career
1 race run over 1 year
ARCA no., teamNo. 46 (Lowden Jackson Motorsports)
Best finish115th (2023)
First race2023 General Tire 150 (Phoenix)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 0 0
ARCA Menards Series East career
1 race run over 1 year
ARCA East no., teamNo. 46 (Lowden Jackson Motorsports)
Best finish35th (2023)
First race2023 Pensacola 200 (Pensacola)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 1 0
ARCA Menards Series West career
7 races run over 2 years
ARCA West no., teamNo. 46 (Lowden Jackson Motorsports)
Best finish17th (2023)
First race2022 NAPA Auto Parts ARCA West 150 (Evergreen)
Last race2023 Salute to the Oil Industry NAPA Auto Parts 150 (Bakersfield)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 1 0
Statistics current as of May 18, 2023.

Racing career

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Smotherman started competing in bandoleros in 2013 at the age of eight.[1] In 2022, Smotherman would make select starts in both the West Coast Sport Compact Series and the Lucas Oil Modified Series.[2]

On August 20, 2022, Smotherman would make his debut in the ARCA Menards Series West at Evergreen Speedway driving the No. 21 Ford for Lowden Motorsports, where he would start 13th and finish 15th due to handling issues.[3] He would then make three more starts with the team later in the year, earning his first top-ten finish at All-American Speedway with a seventh-place finish.

 
Smotherman's No. 38 car at All American Speedway in 2023

On February 28, 2023, it was announced that Smotherman would run with the renamed Lowden Jackson Motorsports in the No. 46 Ford full-time in the ARCA Menards Series West. He is also announced to run select events in the ARCA Menards Series East.[4] He would also make his debut in the main ARCA Menards Series at Phoenix Raceway in March, as it was a companion event with the West Series. After running the first three races, he would be replaced for the next two rounds at Portland International Raceway and Sonoma Raceway by Kyle Sieg and Stefan Rzesnowiecky respectively. After withdrawing from the second Irwindale Speedway race, he would move over to Kart Idaho Racing in the No. 38 Chevrolet at All American Speedway, where he would finish eighth.

Personal life

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Smotherman currently attends at the Pahrump Valley High School and is intending on attending college at Great Basin College in Elko, Nevada.[1]

Motorsports career results

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ARCA Menards Series

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(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led. ** – All laps led.)

ARCA Menards Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 AMSC Pts Ref
2023 Lowden Jackson Motorsports 46 Ford DAY PHO
29
TAL KAN CLT BLN ELK MOH IOW POC MCH IRP GLN ISF MLW DSF KAN BRI SLM TOL 115th 15 [5]

ARCA Menards Series East

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ARCA Menards Series East results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 AMSEC Pts Ref
2023 Lowden Jackson Motorsports 46 Ford FIF
9
DOV NSV FRS IOW IRP MLW BRI 35th 35 [6]

ARCA Menards Series West

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ARCA Menards Series West results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 AMSWC Pts Ref
2022 Lowden Motorsports 21 Ford PHO IRW KCR PIR SON IRW EVG
15
PIR 21st 156 [7]
Chevy AAS
7
LVS
22
PHO
26
2023 Lowden Jackson Motorsports 46 Ford PHO
29
IRW
15
KCR
16
PIR SON IRW
Wth
SHA EVG 17th 142 [8]
Kart Idaho Racing 38 Chevy AAS
8
Toyota LVS
10
MAD
Wth
PHO
Wth

References

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  1. ^ a b "Get to Know ARCA West Series Driver RJ Smotherman". Kickin' the Tires. October 5, 2022. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  2. ^ "R. J. Smotherman". The Third Turn. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  3. ^ "ARCA WEST: Handling issues strike Smotherman as Pedroncelli's absence leads to a new last-place finisher". LASTCAR.info. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  4. ^ "Lowden-Jackson Motorsports Announces Drivers for ARCA East and West Races in 2023". Racing Today. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  5. ^ "R. J. Smotherman – 2023 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  6. ^ "R. J. Smotherman – 2023 ARCA Menards Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  7. ^ "R. J. Smotherman – 2022 ARCA Menards Series West Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  8. ^ "R. J. Smotherman – 2023 ARCA Menards Series West Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
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