[autotag]Front Row Motorsports[/autotag] is one step closer to finalizing its NASCAR Cup Series driver lineup for 2025. On Wednesday afternoon, Front Row Motorsports announced that Noah Gragson has signed a multi-year contract to drive in the Cup Series starting in 2025. However, what about the last seat, which is open due to a recently acquired charter?
FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass asked Front Row Motorsports general manager Jerry Freeze about the possibility of signing [autotag]Zane Smith[/autotag] to the team’s third car. Freeze was honest about the possibility and expressed interest in Smith.
“We’ve still got really fine feelings for [Zane Smith],” Freeze said. “He did a phenomenal job for [Front Row Motorsports] for two years with our [NASCAR Truck Series] team. I think a year ago, if we had a third charter, it would’ve been a no-brainer that Zane Smith would’ve been driving the third car. I think that’s what [Bob Jenkins] was really wishing for and hoping for last year at this point.”
Could Zane Smith, if NASCAR limits teams to three charters (JGR and HMS would likely be grandfathered in with four) and he is the odd driver out at Trackhouse, return to Front Row Motorsports? FRM general manager Jerry Freeze wouldn't rule it out. pic.twitter.com/LV1W8ajoON
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) July 11, 2024
“If Zane were to be a free agent for next year, I think that’s something that we would certainly be interested in for sure. I don’t know that he is, but we really believe in Zane’s talent. He’s gonna be a star. Everybody’s gotta go through that learning curve in the [NASCAR Cup Series], and he’s no different than [Todd Gilliland] was…I think he’s a star in the making, without a doubt.”
Smith signed with Trackhouse Racing in 2023 but could be the odd man out if Shane van Gisbergen moves to the Cup Series starting in 2025. It’s unclear where Smith would go or if he would continue his contract with Trackhouse Racing. If not, Front Row Motorsports could be a great landing spot for Smith, and the team wouldn’t be opposed to the idea.
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