Jack Smith calls time on Supercars
The Adelaide 500 will be Smith’s final event as a full-time Supercars driver having spent four years behind the wheel of a Brad Jones Racing supercar.
His debut came with BJR in 2019 as a wildcard at the Tasmanian circuit, Symmons Plains and past the half century for rounds in the Supercars Championship earlier this year.
Smith has grown up as a part of BJR, coming into the team as a 17-year-old before making his way through the ranks.
The now 24-year-old’s Supercars debut came off the back of incredibly successful campaigns in Super3 and the New Zealand V8 Championship.
As a teenager in a BJR VE Commodore the impressive young-gun went head-to-head with experienced drivers and future Supercars stars and was victorious.
In his first year in a touring car, Smith finished off the podium only twice and claimed the chequered flag no less than eight times in the 2017 V8 Touring Car Series season.
Then at the age of 19, Smith made waves in New Zealand, notching up 10 victories and five podiums on his way to the second title of his career.
It was only natural then for the fresh-faced driver to make the progression into Super2, and he did so with BJR.
In his debut year in Super2 machinery, Smith’s highlight was the non-championship round at Mount Panorama where Smith was able to finish just outside the top ten.
Once he had some experience under his belt, Smith was a top-ten regular in Super2 for the next two seasons.
He finished 10th in the standings in 2018 and 2019, while stepping up his Supercars commitments in the latter year.
His debut in the main game came at circuit where he enjoyed some of his best results - Symmons Plains.
It was the location of his debut Super2 podium in 2018 and the venue where he scored his best qualifying position (10th), where he beat out all three of his BJR team-mates.
Over his seven years with Brad Jones Racing Smith has been a valuable asset to the team and been part of considerable growth within the Albury squad.
In the new Gen3 Camaro, Smith achieved his first fastest lap in Race 19 at Sydney Motorsport Park, which was coincidentally his 50th round in the championship.
His final race will be on the streets of Adelaide this weekend, with Smith taking a bow on his time in Supercars.
Practice kicks off on Thursday the 23rd from 15:45 ACDT local time.
Details for the 2024 SCT Motorsport Supercars program will be released in due course.
Quoteboard
Jack Smith
Supercars driver, #4 SCT Logistics Camaro
“This isn’t a decision we’ve come to lightly, Supercars have been such a big part of my life. 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.”
Brad Jones
Team Owner, Brad Jones Racing
“It's hard to believe it's been seven years with Jack in the team. 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.”