Zane Smith delivered a standout performance in the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway on Saturday night, advancing from a 29th place start to finish 11th in what became a gritty underdog story. The achievement underscored the relevance of the Zane Smith top 15 Richmond finish narrative, as Smith maneuvered through challenges in Virginia to stake his claim among elite company under the lights.
The Richmond Raceway event, notorious for its abrasive surface and significant tire wear, took place under humid, star-lit skies, creating difficult conditions for teams already concerned about the performance of the Next Gen car on short tracks. With only a single race scheduled at this venue in 2025, drivers faced an extra layer of pressure, and tire management quickly became a central storyline. Early pit stops and uncertainty about the longevity of tire sets forced many to adjust their strategies, leaving room for competitors like Smith and other dark horses to seize opportunity amid the chaos.
Smith, piloting the No. 38 Long John Silvers Ford for Front Row Motorsports, methodically advanced through the first stage, reaching 18th by the time the initial segment concluded. The race became complicated in stage two after a multi-car incident involving Daniel Suarez, Ty Gibbs, and Tyler Reddick, which left Smith trapped a lap down during green flag pit stops. Forced to take the wave around and fight for track position, Smith kept his composure as the race intensified, narrowly avoiding a major pileup when Kyle Busch made contact with Chase Briscoe in turn three, clouding the field in smoke.
Despite these complications and subsequent cautions, Smith made his way into the top 15 during the second stage. Although he dropped to 27th by its end, his pace and determination remained undeterred. As the final stage unfolded, Smith executed swift overtakes and the team delivered flawless pit stops, allowing him to steadily climb the order by efficiently using the lower lane through corners. He ran inside the top 10 until late in the race, when Denny Hamlin edged ahead for position, relegating Smith to 11th but not diminishing the impressiveness of his run.
This performance marked Smith’s highest finish since June at EchoPark Speedway and built optimism ahead of the crucial Daytona race, where playoff hopes hang in the balance. The Huntington Beach, California native has consistently demonstrated resilience, establishing himself as a central figure among the series’ underdog ranks.
Following the race, Smith shared his outlook, encapsulating the spirit of perseverance that defined his Richmond result.
“Really happy with the trajectory we’re on right now,”
Smith said.
“Had a tough stretch but I feel like we’re getting back to where we were. Bummed we couldn’t pull out the top-10 finish, but overall happy with our progress the last couple of weeks. We know what the goal is at Daytona [International Speedway]- to race our way into the playoffs.”
—Zane Smith, Driver
Richmond’s Challenging Night for Drivers
The Richmond Cup race tested the strategic acumen of teams and the composure of drivers. The threat of running short on tire sets led to measured starts, with many pitting early in hopes of managing their resources for later stages. Attrition added drama, with incidents mid-race drastically altering the running order. The chaotic sequence of cautions, multi-car pileups, and green flag stops ensured that only those who remained alert throughout had a shot at rising through the field.
Smith was not alone in making a strong impression. Shane van Gisbergen, driving for Trackhouse Racing, distinguished himself at Richmond despite his limited experience on ovals. Starting 27th, the New Zealander displayed aggressive tactics by running close to the wall and capitalizing on corner exits, advancing to 14th by the checkered flag, equating his best oval finish of the season. Overcoming adversity that included contact with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. during green flag pit stops, van Gisbergen recovered from a lap down by earning the free pass late in the race and showcased steady progress on unfamiliar ground.
Carson Hocevar, representing Spire Motorsports, delivered a similarly solid outing. After surging into the top 10 from a 15th-place start and reaching as high as fifth early, an initial drop to 22nd due to tire wear tested his resolve. Stage two saw fortune tilt back in his favor, as Hocevar dodged incidents and utilized fresher tires to secure seventh in the segment, adding valuable stage points. A bold early pit call in the final stage briefly elevated him to the lead, but the lack of late cautions meant Hocevar wrapped up the night in 15th, his fourth consecutive finish of 18th or better.
Michael McDowell, also of Spire Motorsports, took a calculated risk by saving fresh tires for later phases, which left him down in 25th after the opening stage. Strategic decisions by crew chief Travis Peterson, including a two-tire stop after stage two, briefly launched McDowell into the lead, though aging tires eventually limited his progress and he finished 17th. Despite the setback, McDowell secured just his fifth top 20 at the challenging short track.
Dramatic Finishes and Emotional Celebrations
Saturday’s race was not short of emotion or spectacle. Austin Dillon captured victory and a coveted playoff berth, earning praise for what some observers described as his best Cup performance to date. The event’s emotional resonance was deepened by Ty Dillon’s own gritty run; the Kaulig Racing driver overcame a pit penalty and was ensnared in the lap 198 pileup, yet managed to finish 20th, joining his brother for a heartfelt frontstretch celebration.
Steven Taranto noted the significance, remarking,
“Ty Dillon just came over and gave his brother a big hug on the frontstretch. Big deal for the Dillon/Childress families and the whole of Welcome, NCVirtuoso performance for Austin Dillon tonight. May have been the best drive of his entire Cup career. pic.twitter.com/E4l63CnuS9”
—Steven Taranto
The Dillon family, accustomed to pivotal moments in NASCAR, rejoiced together after a night that tested patience and resolve. Ty Dillon rebounded after being penalized for his crew’s pit infraction and sustained only minor damage in the late-race crash, burning through his tire set in the process but holding on to complete a top 20 drive. Emotionally charged, Ty joined Austin on the frontstretch as the Richmond crowd applauded their combined perseverance and competitive fire.
Other Noteworthy Underdog Performances
Several other drivers contributed commendable results. Shane van Gisbergen’s return to the top 15 not only showcased his quick adaptation to oval racing but also strengthened his standing as a possible playoff contender, even while some critics remained skeptical of his abilities outside road courses. The steady improvements point to a bright future for the New Zealander, especially as he builds oval experience at high-profile venues like Richmond and Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Carson Hocevar’s fourth straight finish within the top 18 confirms his growing maturity and potential as a dark horse in the playoff chase, while Michael McDowell’s conservative yet effective strategy yielded one more solid Richmond result for Spire Motorsports. Ty Dillon, too, has found consistency this summer, delivering four top 20s in the last eight races and maintaining relevance within the competitive field.
AJ Allmendinger also garnered attention for securing a third-place starting position, but an early penalty followed by handling issues hindered his progress and left him 22nd at the end. Despite any frustration, Allmendinger’s historical success at Daytona suggests he could emerge as a surprise contender in the superspeedway showdown.
Here’s a summary of the underdog power rankings post-Richmond:
1. Shane van Gisbergen: Ascends the rankings with a second consecutive top 15, proving his ability to compete on ovals as well as road courses. Playoff expectations remain high as he approaches his debut run, despite having no prior Cup start at Daytona’s high banks.
2. Carson Hocevar: Continues to deliver with four top 20 finishes, keeping his dark horse playoff prospects alive. The final Daytona event could see Hocevar replicate last year’s 11th-place result given his upward trend.
3. Zane Smith: Outstanding Richmond drive symbolizes his emergence as Front Row Motorsports’ steadiest performer, collecting his 14th top 20 of the year and reinforcing hopes of a landmark run at Daytona.
4. AJ Allmendinger: Shows potential as a sleeper pick for Daytona despite recent misfortune; consistent super-speedway form makes him a driver to watch closely next weekend.
5. Ty Dillon: His unspectacular but persistent run of form has made him a fixture within the top 20, highlighted by strong summer outings and a prior top five at Daytona in 2019.
Honorable mentions go to Michael McDowell for his tactical efforts and Cole Custer for continued competitiveness among the smaller teams.
Spotlight on Team Livery: ArmorGuard Coatings Shines
Noah Gragson’s No. 4 Ford, representing one of the underdog outfits, turned heads with a striking new look bearing ArmorGuard Coatings. The deep royal blue, accented by vivid orange highlights, made the car distinctly visible under Richmond’s lights and emphasized how smaller teams use creative branding to stand out during marquee events.
What Comes Next for Zane Smith and Other Underdogs
As the final pre-playoff race looms at Daytona International Speedway, the buzz around Zane Smith’s top 15 Richmond finish builds anticipation for a possible breakthrough into playoff contention. The consistency and grit displayed at Richmond affirm not only Smith’s readiness but also the prospects of drivers like Shane van Gisbergen, Carson Hocevar, and Ty Dillon, each seeking to upset the playoff order amid the unpredictability of superspeedway competition. Richmond has proven that underdogs remain a vital, dynamic force within NASCAR, and the season’s closing chapters will see them continue the battle for respect and relevance on the sport’s brightest stages.
