SS-GreenLight Racing Bets on Experience and Road Course Mastery With Labbe and Smithley for 2026
In a move that signals serious intent for the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season, the organization has confirmed a potent driver lineup for the No. 0 Chevrolet. By pairing a reliable veteran anchor, such as Garrett Smithley, with a specialized road-course ace, Alex Labbe, the team aims to punch well above its weight class.
The offseason in NASCAR is rarely quiet. It is a time of endless phone calls, handshake deals, and the constant shuffling of charters and chassis. But for Bobby Dotter and the crew at SS-GreenLight Racing, this winter has been about solidification.
Labbe and Smithley: A Dual-Threat Approach
The headline news coming out of the shop this Friday is the return of Canadian standout Alex Labbe. The 2017 NASCAR Canada Series champion has earned a reputation in the garage as a driver who can take equipment and wring every ounce of speed out of it, particularly on tracks that turn left and right. Labbe has been tapped to serve as the designated “road ringer” for the No. 0 entry.
This creates a fascinating dynamic within the team. You have Garrett Smithley, announced back in December, serving as the primary driver for the grueling week-to-week grind on the ovals. Then you have Labbe stepping in to act as the sniper for the technical circuits.
It is a strategy often employed by mid-level teams looking to steal a playoff spot or a trophy, but it is rarely executed with two drivers who have this much chemistry with the ownership group. The partnership of Labbe and Smithley offers SS-GreenLight Racing the best of both worlds: consistency on the asphalt ovals and aggressive, high-upside potential on the road courses.
Introducing The Road Course Master
Labbe isn’t just dipping his toes in. he is diving into a five-race schedule that includes some of the most demanding layouts in North American motorsports. His season will kick off early at the Circuit of The Americas (COTA) on February 28. From there, he will take the wheel at Watkins Glen, the technical Sonoma Raceway, the Charlotte ROVAL, and the newly added event at Naval Base Coronado.
“I’m really excited to be staying with SS-GreenLight Racing,” Labbe said regarding the announcement. “We have had some great runs over the years, and I’m looking forward to building on that with some good runs this year.”
For a team like SS-GreenLight, these races are not just calendar fillers; they are massive opportunities. Labbe contested seven events in 2025, securing three top-15 finishes in the No. 07. That kind of performance is vital for owner points and team morale.
Bobby Dotter knows just what he has in the Quebec native.”We are so excited to have Alex back in the car next year,” Dotter said. “He has brought so much to our program, and we can’t wait to build on the successes we have had in the past.”
Smithley Anchors the Program with BRK Support
While Labbe handles the twisty stuff, the bulk of the heavy lifting falls to Garrett Smithley. Returning to the fold with the backing of BRK Racing, owned by Beth and Randy Knighton, Smithley provides the stability a team needs to grow. The transition from the No. 14 to the No. 0 represents a fresh chapter, but the faces remain familiar.
The relationship among driver, owner, and sponsor is often the difference between a team that survives and one that thrives. Randy Knighton’s comments suggest that the ownership group is genuinely enjoying racing, which is a dangerous thing for competitors. A happy team is often a fast team.
“I am super happy and thankful to be back with SS-GreenLight Racing and BRK Racing,” Smithley noted. “Last year was the first time working with Bobby for more than a couple one-off races and he was great to work with. We definitely want to continue to improve the program.”
Technical Upgrades: The ECR Engine Advantage
Perhaps the most underrated aspect of this announcement is the hardware under the hood. Passion and talent can only take you so far if the car won’t pull down the straightaway. To that end, BRK Racing and SS-GreenLight are leasing ECR Engines for the 2026 campaign. At the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series level, the engine package is the great equalizer.
Moving to ECR power means Labbe and Smithley will have the horsepower necessary to defend positions on restarts and make passes without relying solely on aerodynamics/drafting. It is a significant financial commitment that proves the Knightons and Dotter are not interested in running at the back of the pack.
All Eyes on Daytona
The clock is already ticking toward the season opener. The 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series gets underway at the World Center of Racing, Daytona International Speedway, on Saturday, February 14. While Smithley will have the honor of starting the season, the strategy is clear.
Survive Daytona, learn the car, and then hand the keys over to Labbe two weeks later at COTA to see what the new package can really do. For a team with a history of grit, 2026 is shaping up to be a year of genuine promise.
