Front Row Motorsports has secured a multi-year contract extension with Zane Smith, ensuring he will continue competing in the No. 38 NASCAR Cup Series for upcoming seasons. The Front Row Motorsports contract extension comes as Smith appears set to remain a central figure with the team heading into 2026 and beyond.
Zane Smith Remains at Front Row Motorsports for the Future
Front Row Motorsports confirmed the contract extension for its No. 38 NASCAR Cup Series team, keeping Zane Smith in the driver’s seat past this season. Smith, now in his second full-time campaign in the Cup Series, joined Front Row at the start of this year and has already recorded a personal best of five top-10 finishes. Prior to this, he made his Cup debut as a rookie with Spire Motorsports in the No. 71 car.
The news of Smith’s renewed deal quickly circulated after NASCAR highlighted the update on X, stating,
“His future is Front Row! [Zane Smith] will drive the No. 38 for [FRM] in 2026 and beyond.
Joseph Srigley, managing editor at TobyChristie.com, added that Smith’s crew chief, Ryan Bergenty, will also remain with the program under the terms of the new contract, continuing their collaboration.
Career Milestones and Recent Performances
Zane Smith began his journey with Front Row Motorsports back in 2022, competing in the Truck Series, where he achieved a significant milestone by winning the 2022 Truck championship. After his championship success, Smith moved up to compete part-time in the Cup Series, bypassing a full-time season in the Xfinity Series altogether.

Hailing from Huntington Beach, California, Smith made eight Cup starts with Front Row in 2023, notching a top-10 finish. Smith recently joined Front Row full-time after Trackhouse Racing moved him out of their driver development program. During his stint with Spire Motorsports, reached through a Trackhouse arrangement, he secured four top-10 finishes and was able to claim two top-five results. The highlight of his last season came with a fifth-place finish at Watkins Glen International in September, showcasing his talent in highly competitive fields.
Aiming for Progress Despite a Challenging Year
The 2025 Cup season has presented Smith with a mix of challenges and highlights. He earned his sole runner-up result at Bristol Motor Speedway last month by finishing third, just behind Denny Hamlin and Brad Keselowski. After enduring a run of subpar results, Smith managed to return to the top 10 at Talladega Superspeedway last week, climbing from a 23rd starting spot to finish ninth.
Smith commented on the recent developments and his renewed commitment to the team, expressing optimism about the direction of the No. 38 program and its preparations for upcoming seasons.
“We’ve had an up-and-down year, but heading into the offseason, I feel like we’ve put our program in a great position to hit the ground running in 2026. Front Row has always felt like home, the people, both on the road and at the shop, truly make this a special place and I’m excited for what next season holds,” Zane Smith in a statement.
Team Developments and Wider Implications
As Front Row Motorsports looks to solidify its presence in the NASCAR Cup Series, the organization is also navigating legal challenges, with a lawsuit involving 23XI Racing and NASCAR underway. In addition to Smith’s extension, the team has awarded new long-term contracts to its other full-time Cup drivers, Todd Gilliland and Noah Gragson, emphasizing Front Row’s commitment to stability and building for the future.
With Zane Smith, Ryan Bergenty, Todd Gilliland, and Noah Gragson all confirmed for multiple seasons, Front Row Motorsports is shaping its roster to maintain competitiveness and continuity. The Front Row Motorsports contract extension for Smith not only affirms confidence in his abilities but also signals an intent to further elevate the team’s status within the NASCAR Cup Series. Fans and observers will be watching closely to see how Smith, the organization, and the broader NASCAR landscape evolve heading into the 2026 season and beyond.
His future is Front Row!@ZaneSmith will drive the No. 38 for @Team_FRM in 2026 and beyond. pic.twitter.com/VyZediAmFN
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) October 23, 2025
Ryan Bergenty will continue as crew chief of the No. 38 Ford Mustang Dark Horse in the NASCAR Cup Series.#NASCAR https://t.co/lFM82zsl0C
— Joseph Srigley (@joe_srigley) October 23, 2025