Sammy Smith and Dawson Sutton are joining Tricon Garage full-time in 2027, the team announced Friday. Smith will drive the No. 15 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro, with Sutton stepping into the No. 5 truck. The addition of Smith and Sutton comes just two days after the team revealed both Kaden Honeycutt and Gio Ruggiero are remaining in their current Tricon Garage rides.
The No. 5 truck has featured a rotating cast of drivers throughout the 2026 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season. With Sutton taking over, no full-time driver will lose a seat. The same can’t be said for the No. 15 truck; Sammy Smith is taking over from Tanner Gray after seven full seasons with Tricon.
Speaking to media Friday, Tricon Garage GM Kevin Ray said Tanner Gray presently does not have a role with the team in 2027. He declined to comment on what opportunities may be in Gray’s future.
For the past four seasons, Sammy Smith has competed full-time in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. The past three of those have been with JR Motorsports in the iconic No. 8 Chevrolet. Smith has three victories and a best points result of sixth. JR Motorsports announced in August that Smith would not return in 2027.
Dawson Sutton is in his second full Craftsman Truck Series season. Both years have been with Rackley W.A.R., who announced Friday they’ll cease operations after Talladega Superspeedway.
“It’s the place to be, they have all the resources in the world,” Sutton said. “My goal is to win races and win a championship and I feel like this is the place to be for that to happen.”
