Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is gearing up for a thrilling 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season, marked by the return of Zane Smith. Smith, who has made a name for himself in the NASCAR Truck Series, is set to drive the No. 38 Ford for FRM under a full-time, multiyear contract. This exciting development follows FRM’s acquisition of a racing charter from the now-defunct Stewart-Haas Racing.
Smith’s journey with FRM began in 2022, where he made an immediate impact in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Over the course of 46 starts, he secured six wins and 24 top-five finishes, ultimately clinching the Truck Series championship. In 2023, he gained valuable Cup Series experience, making seven starts for FRM, including a notable 10th-place finish at the Coca-Cola 600.
In 2024, Smith raced for Spire Motorsports in the No. 71 Chevrolet. Reflecting on his return to FRM, Smith expressed his excitement: “I’ve always felt at home with Front Row Motorsports. They believed in me when I first joined them in 2022, and we had a lot of success together, winning six races and a championship. It was disappointing when there weren’t enough Cup cars for me to move up full-time last year, but now, with the team’s progress, I’m excited to return. The lineup of teammates—Todd (Gilliland) and Noah (Gragson)—is fantastic, and we all have a lot to prove as young drivers in the Cup Series. I’m looking forward to continuing my career with an organization I know can win.”
Smith thanked team owner Bob Jenkins, general manager Jerry Freeze, and Mark Rushbrook at Ford for making this opportunity possible, adding, “We can win together in the Cup Series, just like we did in the Truck Series.”
The addition of Smith to FRM’s driver roster, alongside Todd Gilliland and newcomer Noah Gragson, strengthens the team’s lineup. Gilliland, with FRM since 2020, made his Cup Series debut in 2022, while Gragson joins from Stewart-Haas Racing, bringing over 70 Cup starts worth of experience. Smith will work with Ryan Bergenty as his crew chief, a partnership that began during his 2023 Cup starts.
Bob Jenkins, the team owner, welcomed Smith back, highlighting his past success: “Zane brought us our first championship, and we believe in his ability to win in the Cup Series. We’ll provide him with everything he needs to succeed. With our driver lineup now set, we’re in a great position to take the next step forward.”
