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Trackhouse Racing, Zane Smith part ways after 2024 NASCAR season

JHby:Jonathan Howard•08/23/24•

Jondean25

Zane Smith
Jun 23, 2024; Loudon, New Hampshire, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Zane Smith (71) is introduced before the start of the USA TODAY 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Another Silly Season shoe has dropped. Trackhouse Racing has announced that Zane Smith will not return to the team in 2025. This NASCAR season, Smith has raced the No. 71 for Spire Motorsports in an agreement with Trackhouse.

Zane Smith will finish out the season. However, he is not going to return to Trackhouse Racing in 2025. This clears up the speculation about the organization’s future. Smith may one day be a star in the Cup Series, but it won’t be with Trackhouse.

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The former Truck Series champion will be allowed to look for other opportunities. He is rumored to be a favorite to return to Front Row Motorsports to drive one of their three Cup Series cars.

“Trackhouse Racing and Zane Smith have mutually agreed to separate at the conclusion of the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season, allowing the 25-year-old former NASCAR Truck Series champion to immediately accept other opportunities. Smith drives the No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet in an alliance with Trackhouse Racing and will continue for the remainder of this season.”

Ross Chastain, Daniel Suárez, Shane van Gisbergen, Zane Smith, and Connor Zilisch. Eventually, five drivers weren’t going to fit into two Cup Series seats. They won’t even fit into three seats.

When I look at that lineup, I do commend Justin Marks on making it happen, even for just a year. We could look at this group of five drivers in a few years and think to ourselves “Wow, they were all in the same organization.”

Chastain is a fan-favorite, Suárez is an international star, SVG is a potential Cup Series champion, and Smith and Zilisch could end up having championship careers as well.

Zane Smith has talent. There is a reason why Marks signed him. However, it didn’t work out this season. It happens. Smith hasn’t seen his last opportunity or even his best opportunity, yet.

Zane Smith out, could land at Front Row

Next season, Michael McDowell is heading to Spire Motorsports to take over the No. 71 car. So, we knew that Zane Smith was out at Spire. This Trackhouse announcement just makes it all that more clear what the move for the organization is moving forward.

If Smith lands where he is rumored to land, Front Row Motorsports, that would be good for him. McDowell is leaving Front Row, Todd Gilliland is staying and Noah Gragson is moving in. However, there is a third FRM car for 2025.

Smith won a Truck Series championship with Front Row. That organization wanted to keep him around but didn’t have the room for him in 2024. Smith was ready to give Cup racing a try.

Nothing is guaranteed. Zane Smith may have to drop to the Xfinity Series or Truck Series. You never know. While he has time to land a ride, he doesn’t have a lot of time. Where would you like to see Smith racing next year?