Mitchell replaces Troutman in G.R. Smith Motorsports No. 22*
NXTbets Pro | Published On: July 8, 2026
Mitchell takes No. 22
G.R. Smith Motorsports has signed Zack Mitchell to drive the No. 22* car full-time in the World of Outlaws Late Model Series presented by DIRTVision, and the agreement runs through the rest of the 2026 season and beyond. Mitchell steps into the seat vacated by Drake Troutman, who left the team on June 23. Jake Timm handled the car in four races during the northern swing before Mitchell joined the program. The move gives G.R. Smith Motorsports a new driver as the series grind continues, and it keeps the team’s season moving after a short stretch of fill-ins. The change also comes with the car still sitting sixth in the World of Outlaws owners standings, four points behind Cooney Motorsports in fifth, so the points race stays tight even with the lineup switch. Mitchell’s first scheduled start with the team is Wednesday night at Stateline Speedway, which puts him in the car right away after the signing.
Mitchell brings titles
Mitchell arrives with a strong late-model résumé built across regional series. He has won four Ultimate Super Late Model Series championships and added the 2017 Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series title to that list. He was also in contention for the 2026 Hunt the Front Super Dirt Series championship before the World of Outlaws opportunity opened. Those results show a driver who has spent time in championship fights and delivered across different programs. The new ride gives him a full-time seat with G.R. Smith Motorsports for the rest of the year and beyond, and it puts one of the more decorated names in the seat after Troutman’s departure. Mitchell’s background also gives the team a driver with recent title-level form, after he stayed in the mix for the Hunt the Front crown before the move. The record travels with him into the World of Outlaws Late Model Series presented by DIRTVision, where he now takes over a car that has already seen multiple drivers this season.
Mitchell starts this week
Mitchell’s first week with G.R. Smith Motorsports arrives fast. He is set to make his debut Wednesday night at Stateline Speedway, then return to action at Sharon Speedway on Friday and Saturday. That gives him three scheduled races in his opening stretch with the team, all packed into the first few days of the new arrangement. The quick turnaround puts the driver change into competition right away, with the No. 22* car moving from one run of races to another under a new name. It also keeps the focus on the team’s position in the World of Outlaws owners standings, where Smith Motorsports holds sixth and sits four points out of fifth. The combination of a new driver, a signed agreement that stretches through the rest of 2026 and beyond, and a full slate of races in the opening week sets the stage for Mitchell’s arrival with the team.
