Starting strong in the Cup Series is no easy feat. When Kyle Larson debuted in 2013, his early performance was underwhelming, lacking both top-five and top-ten finishes. However, with persistence and the right team, Larson’s fortunes changed dramatically, especially after joining Hendrick Motorsports in 2020. Martin Truex Jr.’s career trajectory was similar—his first decade in the series was mostly forgettable until a pivotal move to Furniture Row Racing transformed his career. These stories suggest that finding the right team can be crucial for a driver’s success, and this might also be true for Zane Smith.
Despite being a rookie in the Cup Series, Smith has shown promise this year, including a top-ten finish in Michigan. He narrowly missed out on a victory in Nashville, finishing just seconds behind Joey Logano. Meanwhile, rumors are swirling about Smith’s future, alongside speculations that Riley Herbst might join 23XI Racing.
So, is Zane Smith on the verge of joining a new Cup Series team? Jerry Freeze, the general manager of Front Row Motorsports (FRM), hinted at this possibility last month, saying, “We’ve still got really fond feelings for Zane. He did a phenomenal job for two years with our Truck team.” Smith indeed made a strong impression during his time in the Craftsman Truck Series, winning the championship in his first season with FRM in 2022. He then transitioned to a part-time Cup Series schedule in 2023 but later moved to Trackhouse Racing for the 2024 season, in collaboration with Spire Motorsports.
However, neither Trackhouse nor Spire has a place for Smith next year—Trackhouse is bringing in Shane van Gisbergen, and Spire has signed Michael McDowell. This situation opens the door for Smith to potentially return to his Truck team at FRM. A recent social media post from a NASCAR insider supported this idea, suggesting that Smith might land in FRM’s third car. This speculation is further fueled by Freeze’s ongoing confidence in the 25-year-old driver.
Riley Herbst finds himself in a similar situation as a free agent. The Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) driver is searching for a ride in 2025 after a mixed four-year stint in the Xfinity Series with SHR. While Herbst struggled in his first two seasons, failing to win any races but making the playoffs, his fortunes shifted last year when he claimed his first victory in Las Vegas. This year, Herbst added another win to his record, beating his standout teammate Cole Custer at Indianapolis, which led to rumors about him potentially joining 23XI Racing. A NASCAR insider recently hinted that Herbst already has a ride and charter lined up.
Jerry Freeze has similarly hinted at a potential 2025 Cup ride for Zane Smith at FRM. He described Smith as a rising star, stating, “If Zane were to be a free agent for next year, I think that’s something that we would certainly be interested in for sure. I don’t know if he is, but we really believe in Zane’s talent, and I think he’s going to be a star. Everybody’s gotta go through that learning curve in the Cup Series.” Denny Hamlin also shares this belief in Smith’s potential.
Although Smith’s rookie season has been challenging, with eight finishes outside the top 30 in the first 18 races, he has shown improvement. Notably, his runner-up finish in Nashville and a top-ten finish at Michigan International Speedway demonstrate his potential.
As Denny Hamlin expressed confidence in Riley Herbst, he also seems to believe in Zane Smith’s abilities. Hamlin noted that Smith has already made significant progress during his first season and that his potential is high. He predicted that, with more experience, Smith could reach new heights in the coming years.
Despite setbacks with Trackhouse and Spire, Zane Smith’s future appears promising. If rumors are true, his former team, FRM, is ready to welcome him back.
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