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Zane Smith to drive No. 38 car for Front Row Motorsports in 2025

JHby:Jonathan Howard•01/02/25•

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

The news we were all expecting is now official. Zane Smith will race the No. 38 car for Front Row Motorsports in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2025. Smith spent last year with Trackhouse, on loan to Spire Motorsports. It was a year of growing pains.

Despite having a lackluster rookie season, Zane Smith is still seen as a potential star. A Truck Series champion with Front Row, Smith has a close relationship with the organization even if he left for Trackhouse and FRM “moved on” for a year.

With Front Row purchasing the charter from Stewart-Haas, thanks to an injunction from the court, Smith now has a ride. A lineup of Smith, Todd Gilliland, and Noah Gragson could be the best young core in the Cup Series.

Zane Smith will reunite with Ryan Bergenty as crew chief. Bergenty has spent the last two seasons as crew chief of the No. 38 car. In 2023, Smith and Todd Gilliland split the No. 38 car.

Based on how Gilliland and the 38 team developed, I think it is a good pairing. On top of that, Smith comes back to Front Row now that they have the Team Penske alliance. Michael McDowell used that newfound speed to win six pole awards in 2024.

Coming back to Front Row could be just what Zane needs to grow and thrive. His situation with Spire and Trackhouse last season was strange. It definitely wasn’t a clean break from Trackhouse when they decided to go with Shane van Gisbergen in a third car over Smith.

I think he has more than landed on his feet.

Zane Smith showed signs last season

The first 18 races of the 2024 season, throw those away. It was horrible for Zane Smith. He was doing so poorly that at one point a non-full-time Kaz Grala was catching him in the Rookie of the Year standings. He had a best finish of P13 in those first 18 races.

However, starting with that insane five-overtime race at Nashville, things turned around. In fact, Smith started to race on par with his Spire teammate and Rookie of the Year, Carson Hocevar in those last 18 weeks.

P2 at Nashville, P7 at Michigan, P5 at Watkins Glen, and P10 at Kansas were all fantastic races. That Watkins Glen performance was absolutely stellar. Spire put all three cars in the top-10 at that race.

Zane Smith showed that his talent is still there. He is the potential star that many think he is. Smith has another opportunity and he has to make the most of it.