Zane Smith, a Cup Series rookie, has faced a challenging year but remains determined to prove his worth. “I will continue to do what I know best… race my heart out, and prove myself,” Smith declared after his career hit a rough patch a month ago. Despite a string of disappointing results, often finishing outside the top 15, Smith continues to show resilience. His recent performance at Kansas is a testament to that, where he demonstrated his skill behind the wheel as the driver of Spire Motorsports’ No. 71 car.
Smith’s season started slowly, and while he may not be a playoff contender, he has been gradually improving. With his teammate Carson Hocevar and other playoff drivers facing issues, Smith managed to remain steady, inching forward in the standings. His ability to stay composed and execute clean races is paying off, as evidenced by his solid finish at Kansas. The progression he’s shown throughout the season has been impressive and is catching the attention of fans and analysts alike.
Earlier this year, Smith joined Trackhouse Racing under a loan deal with Spire, but his time with the team has been far from smooth. His multi-year contract quickly became overshadowed by the impressive performances of his teammate, Hocevar, another rookie who made waves with a series of standout results. This not only diminished Smith’s presence but also left Corey LaJoie, another Spire driver, out of the picture. In August, Smith’s situation worsened when Trackhouse let him go, with Michael McDowell set to take over his car for the 2025 season. Smith openly expressed his disappointment, acknowledging the tough circumstances he was placed in.
Despite the setback, Smith worked tirelessly to turn things around. His season began to improve with a runner-up finish in Nashville, right behind Joey Logano. He followed that up with a 7th-place finish at Michigan and a remarkable 5th-place result at Watkins Glen. These strong performances didn’t go unnoticed, and his recent top-ten finish at Kansas added another highlight to his steadily improving resume. One NASCAR analyst even pointed out his recent success, noting that Smith has now earned three top-10 finishes in the last seven races.
At the Hollywood Casino 400, both Smith and Hocevar had strong showings, each leading laps during the race. Hocevar briefly took the lead on lap 172, only to lose it six laps later to Ross Chastain. He also caused the race’s 10th caution after spinning out during a chaotic restart. Meanwhile, Smith maintained his consistency. He led the race on lap 149, though his time at the front was cut short by John Hunter Nemechek’s caution. In the end, Smith finished 10th, just behind Chase Elliott of Hendrick Motorsports. His consistent improvement is evident with each race, and Kansas served as another demonstration of his growing speed and potential.
While Kansas had previously been a challenging track for Smith—he finished 29th in the spring race—his performance this weekend showed significant progress. During practice, the No. 71 Chevrolet ranked 17th fastest in the 15-lap average, and Smith’s smooth race execution was credited to his prior experience at the track. Kansas has been a favorable location for Smith in the past, most notably in 2022 when he claimed victory in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
That year, Smith dominated the Kansas race, slicing through lapped traffic and pulling away from the pack on the final restart. The win marked his third of the season, outpacing rivals like Ty Majeski and Grant Enfinger. Reflecting on his 2022 Kansas victory, Smith described it as one of the easier wins of his career, despite a tense late-race restart. He humorously recalled being stuck in fourth gear, preventing him from performing a burnout celebration.
In 2022, Smith was racing for Front Row Motorsports (FRM) after transitioning from GMS Racing, and he capped off the year with another victory at Phoenix, securing the championship title. His return to Kansas under the Cup Series banner this year was another solid performance, further proving his capabilities.
Though Smith’s future in the Cup Series remains uncertain, his recent performances suggest he still has plenty to offer. There’s speculation that he could return to Front Row Motorsports, especially with Michael McDowell set to leave the team. For now, Smith continues to race with determination, showing that he belongs in the sport and may soon secure a permanent ride.
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