Hearing Emmitt Smith’s name, what most likely flashes across your head are the highlight reels of unstoppable runs, broken tackles, and Super Bowl glory under the NFL’s bright lights. Smith established a career based on perseverance, grit, and winning at the highest level while serving as the league’s all-time top rusher and the face of the Dallas Cowboys dynasty of the 1990s.
But he continued to be active after retiring. Smith only changed venues, first from the football field to the corporate world and now to the fast-paced world of NASCAR. He brought his unwavering championship attitude to the track in 2021 when he founded Jesse Iwuji Motorsports (JIM) alongside Navy veteran Jesse Iwuji. And now that his long-time companion and collaborator was finally getting back behind the wheel, Smith had only three words of advice: equal parts mission statement and motivation.
Emmitt only needed three words, but the image was worth a thousand. The excitement of the occasion was conveyed perfectly in his caption: “Great weekend at @talladega! Congrats to @jesse_iwuji for having two Top 20 finishes. Continue to build and keep up the good work.” Continue to build. Three words. No speeches. It was just Emmitt in his best form, challenging, encouraging, and emphasising that, although it was okay to celebrate the occasion, the hard work was still to be done.
Smith, looking like a man in his element, posted a vibrant Instagram picture from Talladega Superspeedway. He was wearing a white hoodie, a matching Nike cap, reflective blue aviators, and a NASCAR neckband, flashing a peace-out sign. Beside him? A proud collaboration with Jesse Iwuji Motorsports, right back where it belonged—in the heat of NASCAR competition.
Smith has never minced words when it comes to appreciating Jesse’s journey and the partnership. He said in 2022, “I’m proud of this man. In order to go through the door and go through the fire, you got to be willing to do it. And he’s built for it. I’m built for it.” Reflecting on their partnership, Smith added: “Jesse himself, people that you can hitch your wagon to and help support … it makes a big difference. And so he created an opportunity for me to come in and be a part of it. And here I am.”
So, Smith wasn’t merely praising Jesse Iwuji’s return to the driver’s seat with the Instagram post. He was establishing the tone for all that follows. Because Jesse’s return to racing after almost two years was more than just a personal triumph; it was a message. The last time Jesse Iwuji strapped into a NASCAR Xfinity Series car, the calendar still read February 2023. Although a lot has changed since then, Jesse’s competitive spirit has remained constant.
Two years later, Emmitt Smith and Jesse Iwuji reunite on the track
For those who don’t know, Iwuji isn’t your typical racer. His story starts in a U.S. Navy uniform, where he served with discipline and determination long before trading his military stripes for a racing helmet. Iwuji participated in 17 Xfinity Series races from 2020 to 2023, finishing 11th at Daytona, one of the sport’s most prestigious racetracks. In the Truck Series, he made 16 starts and finished 17th at Texas Motor Speedway.
Having competed in ARCA, Truck, and Xfinity Series races at the enormous superspeedway, he is no stranger to Talladega, either. But many questioned whether they had seen the last of Jesse Iwuji after he left the competition. Turns out, they hadn’t.
Now, in 2025, working with DGM Racing and Jesse Iwuji Motorsports, Jesse drove the No. 91 Chevrolet Camaro into the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Talladega Superspeedway. With its striking red, white, and blue paint job, the car also carried a unique message: it was a tribute to veterans, part of the American Veterans Center’s National Memorial Day Parade. It served as a reminder that Iwuji’s career has always involved more than just racing and a reference to his Navy roots.
Prior to the race, Iwuji said, “It means the world to me to have Chevrolet Accessories on board as I make my first start with Mario Gosselin and the DGM x JIM team. Chevrolet has been with me almost every step of my racing career; their belief in me and their continued support are a great reminder of how hard I’ve worked for the opportunity to be back at the track and live out my racing dreams.”
But this is more than just a personal victory. Iwuji’s comeback gives Jesse Iwuji Motorsports a new lease on life ahead of the pivotal 2025 season. Emmitt Smith’s financial and emotional commitment is a component of a larger scheme that aims to create a platform for NASCAR’s diversity and competitive excellence.
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