Zane Smith’s NASCAR Cup journey reached a turning point at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday night, as the 26-year-old driver came heartbreakingly close to his first Cup Series victory. Smith, representing Front Row Motorsports, saw his chance at the checkered flag slip away after running near the front in the closing laps, reminding fans and competitors alike of both the promise and difficulty of rising through the series’ ranks.
Smith Nearly Claims First Cup Series Victory
Smith was just four laps from an elusive Cup Series win when, battling on the front row, a late-race move against Carson Hocevar resulted in Smith washing up the track. This opened a gap, allowing Christopher Bell to surge ahead for the win, leaving Smith to finish third. The near success was bittersweet, reinforcing his relentless drive while underlining how narrow the margin remains between victory and defeat in NASCAR’s top tier.
Reflecting on Lessons From the Truck Series
For Smith, moments like Bristol recall the confidence he built during his years in the Craftsman Truck Series. After debuting in 2018 and notching nine wins, three Championship 4 appearances, and a season title in 2022, Smith entered the Cup ranks hungrier than ever. Now competing in his second full-time Cup season, the Huntington Beach, California native has found that opportunities at the highest level are harder to seize, with only three top-five results across 74 starts to date.
The Emotional Toll of Cup Series Challenges
While he’s excelled on the track, Smith has found the move to the Cup Series to bring new mental challenges. In a recent teleconference, Smith described the intensity and pressure of capitalizing on fleeting opportunities for victory:
“when you’re trying to get your first win in the Cup Series — something you’ve just wanted to be in for your whole life — and then the opportunity is right in front of you (and) it’s going to be settled in a couple of minutes, yeah, there’s a lot of things running through your head. Like, man, pretty much everything that I have known in my career, I need to funnel it down to right now to see how I could possibly execute this race win. …”
— Zane Smith, Driver
He recognizes the fleeting nature of those chances:
“I’ve worked for this all my life, and the opportunity is right here. Who knows if I’ll have this opportunity again?”
— Zane Smith, Driver
Adapting After Near Misses and Tough Breaks
Despite disappointments, Smith is candid about the growth that struggle brings, both as a competitor and as a leader within his Ford-backed Front Row Motorsports team. Bristol’s strong showing was a reminder that progress is happening, even if the results do not always display it. Smith shares the reality many up-and-coming drivers face:
“You get warned about that as the conversations get brought up of maybe you going to race on Sunday,”
Smith said.
“And, man, you could go through a stretch there without just winning something, and it takes a toll on you. Like, man, can I still do this? Do I still stay as locked in as I did? And you question why it’s not happening.”
— Zane Smith, Driver
He draws on the power of team analysis and resilience:
“Fortunately, we have a lot of data and analytics looking at where we can improve and maybe circling more than one reason why we’re not,”
Smith said.
“And I think we’re thankful for that because that could just naturally take a toll on a driver. But it was a good reminder on Saturday that I feel I still can win.”
— Zane Smith, Driver
Staying Focused During Ups and Downs
Smith’s recent months were packed with misfortune, as late-race incidents in July and August cost him several strong finishes. Through these setbacks, Smith feels responsible for guiding his team and maintaining morale. He highlights the crucial role of mental fortitude:
“I’m just a big believer in, like, hard times build tougher people,”
Smith said.
“And I think through racing and doing this for a living […] you’re going to experience so many ups and downs. Regardless, I mean, even at the high, I feel that just keeping a level head goes a long way. You just don’t let your lows get too low. And so with that, I feel like that’s how we’ve been able to rebound.”
— Zane Smith, Driver
Looking Towards Future Opportunities
Zane Smith’s journey to a Cup Series win remains unfinished, but his Bristol performance is proof of steady progress. For Smith, Ford, and Front Row Motorsports, the close call fuels motivation for upcoming races. As the season continues, Smith’s story exemplifies the resilience and ambition needed to reach the top of the motorsports world, reminding both his rivals and fans why his journey is one to watch.
