(Another) NASCAR Debut for Casey Smith: New Car, New Team

The last time the young driving sensation Casey Smith competed in the NASCAR Southeast Series was at the Music City Motorplex in Nashville, Tennessee.  Four years later, Smith will make his “second” debut in the NASCAR Auto Zone Elite Southeast Series at the same track on Friday, July 15th.

Many things have changed in the last four years.  Then the series was known as the Slim Jim All-Pro Series and is now named the Auto Zone Elite Southeast Series.  The track in Nashville, Tennessee was then known as "The Fairgrounds" and is now the Music City Motorplex.  Smith was then competing at only 16 years old, now he is no longer a teenager and has more knowledge and experience under his belt.  Back then, Smith was wheeling his red family-owned #24.  Now, he will run for Turner Motorsports in the black #9.

Smith made his first NASCAR Southeast Series start at the Music City Motorplex 4 years ago.  The then 16-year-old qualified 4th quick against a field of seasoned veterans and was running 3rd when engine failure forced him to retire late in the race.  Shortly after, NASCAR mandated the 18-year-old driver requirement and Smith had to move his team to a different series to further his career. Now of legal age to compete within NASCAR, Smith returns with Turner Motorsports as a teammate to fellow Texan Chris Davidson. 

Turner Motorsports, out of Hallettsville, Texas currently fields the #41 for Sophmore driver Chris Davidson in the Southeast Series. Smith is slated to compete in select NASCAR Southeast Series events for the Turner Motorsports’ second team in 2005. 

“I could not ask for a better teammate and with Chris and I working together we can deliver some stellar results for everyone.” Smith commented.  "Steve Turner has a great program going and I look forward to helping them expand."