Chevrolet Teams with Naval Officer, Emmitt Smith in NASCAR Xfinity Series

New to the 2022 race season, Jesse Iwuji Motorsports, co-owned by driver Iwuji and Pro Football Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith, will field the No. 34 Empowering People More Chevrolet Camaro SS in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
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Driver Jesse Iwuji and Pro Football Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith are teaming up with Chevrolet in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. // Photo by Garry Eller for Chevrolet
Driver Jesse Iwuji and Pro Football Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith are teaming up with Chevrolet in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. // Photo by Garry Eller for Chevrolet

New to the 2022 race season, Jesse Iwuji Motorsports, co-owned by driver Iwuji and Pro Football Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith, will field the No. 34 Empowering People More Chevrolet Camaro SS in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

Chevrolet will provide engineering support and guidance to Jesse Iwuji Motorsports and help develop team members.

“We are excited to have Jesse and Emmitt join our Chevrolet racing family,” says Eric Warren, director of NASCAR programs at Chevrolet. “I respect that Jesse puts effort into continuously improving whatever he does. I grew up watching and cheering the competitive spirit of Emmitt. We will help guide this young team and provide engineering resources to accelerate them along the path to winning races.”

Iwuji attended the United States Naval Academy and is currently an officer in the Navy Reserve after serving seven years of active duty. He made five career starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2020-2021, and 15 starts in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series from 2018-2021.

Iwuji and Smith first met when Smith sponsored a car driven by Iwuji at a race in 2020. The pair helped start Jesse Iwuji Motorsports in 2021.

“When I decided to pursue a professional racing career, I started getting seat time in my Chevrolet Corvette C6 Z06, which I still own today,” Iwuji says. “The story of going from the Navy to NASCAR and having my Corvette play a key part in that journey makes this partnership not only authentic, but inspirational for any person out there looking to accomplish big goals and dreams. This journey gives people hope and shows how much life truly rewards those who stay strong enough, long enough.”

Jim Campbell, vice president of Chevrolet performance and motorsports, says, “I’ve known Jesse for several years, and I love his passion, drive and persistence. When Chevy learned of his aspirations to form a team along with Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith, we looked forward to the opportunity to work together on and off the track. We are excited to announce this partnership and go racing in 2022 starting with Daytona.”

Smith, a three-time Super Bowl champion and the NFL’s all-time leading rusher, says, “First, our team could not be more excited about the partnership with Chevrolet because of what it means to our race team and fans as we get our footing in NASCAR. It was vital to align to a manufacturer that not only provided us with the very best in technology but also believed in supporting Jesse, believed in the great men and woman that defend our country, believed in diversity, and believed in everything that our team stands for. Jesse Iwuji Motorsports is thrilled to have Chevy play a vital role in our mission to drive diversity, equity, and inclusion in racing and join in the development of Jesse as he chases his dream.”