Zane Smith’s Bristol performance made headlines last weekend as he achieved a career-best third place in the Cup Series after starting 24th, surprising many across NASCAR. The strong showing marked only his fourth top 10 this season, offering a rare bright spot for the driver and his team during a challenging year.
Smith’s Journey from Truck Series Standout to Cup Series Challenger
Known for impressive runs in the Truck Series, Zane Smith once accumulated nine victories and made three appearances in the championship’s final round between 2020 and 2023, securing the Truck Series championship in 2022. His trajectory mirrored that of fellow sensation Corey Heim, as both drivers leveraged success at lower levels to earn Cup Series opportunities.
Transitioning to the Cup Series with high expectations, Smith spent 2024 piloting Spire Motorsports’ #71 car. However, results did not match the promise from his Truck Series days, as Smith collected only two top 5 finishes. The changes at Spire forced Smith into uncertainty, but Front Row Motorsports—relying on his earlier championship credentials—invited him to race the #38 car, hoping his winning background would pay dividends in the top tier.
Bristol Race Highlights: Tire Strategy and Grit
Although Smith has yet to achieve consistent success in Cup competition, his ability to manage tires grew evident throughout the year, a skill rooted in his Late Model racing experience. The Bristol event was initially not expected to focus on tire management based on practice runs, but significant tire wear forced teams to adapt once the race began. Smith and the #38 team responded perfectly, gaining ground as other drivers struggled.
Reflecting on the race and drawing connections to his roots, Smith stated,
This past weekend brought back so many memories of Super Late Model days, where you just couldn’t always bolt on a set of tires. We were, at the end of the day, going through them fast, but it was all just about saving and managing and managing your track position, and then it came down to your crew chief telling you when he wanted to pit or when you were getting close to your number.
– Zane Smith, Driver
Smith rose rapidly through the field after a 24th-place start, finishing stage one in 5th position and stage two in 9th. He briefly took the race lead in the final segment and, with only four laps left, had a chance at claiming his first Cup Series win. However, a fierce battle with Hocevar allowed Christopher Bell to seize the lead, and Brad Keselowski passed Smith for second place, relegating Smith to a hard-fought third.
Performance Trends and Season Context
This third-place result highlighted Smith’s knack for tire-intensive events, building on previous respectable outings, including a 16th at Martinsville Speedway, sixth in the All-Star Open at North Wilkesboro Speedway, 11th at Richmond Raceway, and two strong finishes at Darlington Raceway. These performances suggest that Smith’s adaptability and prior experience remain valuable assets, despite struggles in other races.
Smith expressed gratitude for technological support, stating,
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. 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
Heading into the closing stretch of the season, Smith sits 27th in the overall points standings. With seven races remaining, the stakes for demonstrating his worth to Front Row Motorsports and the broader NASCAR community are high.
Crucial Future Ahead for Smith, Team, and NASCAR
This late-season success comes at a pivotal time, with the lawsuit involving NASCAR and 23XI, Front Row Motorsports still unresolved and scheduled for trial in December. A decision against NASCAR could put Front Row Motorsports—and, by extension, Smith’s future seat—in jeopardy. As the ongoing legal and business battles swirl, each race now carries heightened significance for both the driver and his crew chief.
Smith’s standout Bristol run not only broke an extended streak of mediocre finishes but also demonstrated his ability to manage high-pressure events. As the Cup Series season nears its end, all eyes remain on Zane Smith’s journey—whether this performance proves a turning point or a fleeting triumph amid ongoing uncertainty for team and driver alike.
.@ZaneSmith scored a season-best third-place finish last weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Was this a fluke performance from Smith and @Team_FRM? No, it was his background peeking through.
"Brought back so many memories of Super Late Model days."https://t.co/Qp8D0KieFi— John Newby (@JohnNewby_) September 17, 2025
