As the NASCAR Cup Series regular season finale takes place at Daytona International Speedway, Front Row Motorsports enters the weekend with all eyes on Zane Smith, who must win to secure a spot in the coveted playoffs. This Front Row Motorsports Daytona race preview highlights Smith’s situation, past superspeedway results, and the history being honored through his car livery.
Zane Smith Approaches Season-Defining Moment at Daytona
Zane Smith and the No. 38 team find themselves in a must-win scenario as they head into Daytona’s 160-lap contest. Victory is the only way for Smith to guarantee his entry into the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, which kick off at Darlington Raceway next weekend. Smith’s performance on superspeedways has been notable throughout the year, especially with his first-ever Cup pole at Talladega earlier this season, where he led for five laps and ultimately finished 19th. At Atlanta’s first race, Smith achieved an 11th-place finish, while in the second Atlanta event, he led again for five laps and finished seventh. Notably, in his four Cup starts at Daytona, Smith has finished 13th three times, showing consistency but still seeking that breakthrough win.
Throwback Livery Brings Nostalgia to Daytona
This weekend, Smith will pilot the No. 38 car featuring Aaron’s Rent-to-Own in the widely adored Aaron’s Lucky Dog scheme. This car design taps into NASCAR’s rich past, previously raced by drivers like David Reutimann, Brian Vickers, Michael McDowell, and Michael Waltrip, each of whom contributed to the legacy of the iconic livery. Fans are expected to recognize and appreciate this look as Smith takes to the legendary oval in pursuit of a pivotal trophy.
Smith’s Approach and Expectations for Race Day
Looking ahead to the challenge, Smith maintains a calm but optimistic attitude about his prospects, referencing the steady performance his team has put together on drafting-style tracks.
“I’m always excited heading into the superspeedways,”
said Smith.
“We’ve shown a lot a speed this year on drafting-style tracks, so I’m confident this weekend won’t be any different. We know what’s at stake, but we won’t let the pressure bother us, we’re going to show up and do what we do best and be in position at the end.”
—Zane Smith, NASCAR Driver
His words reflect a balanced sense of anticipation and purpose as he and the team prepare for their biggest opportunity yet this season.
Playoff Hopes and Larger Implications
The outcome at Daytona will determine whether Smith, the No. 38 team, and Front Row Motorsports advance to the playoffs, a chance to compete among NASCAR’s elite for the Cup championship. The stakes are high, and with Smith’s consistent results at superspeedways and a celebrated livery connecting him to NASCAR history, their performance in this event could shape the narrative for the remainder of the season. The anticipation is building as race day approaches, with fans and teams tracking every lap that could potentially alter the playoff field.
