McAnally-Hilgemann Racing announced on Friday morning that Zane Smith will run select races in the NASCAR Truck Series in 2024.
[autotag]McAnally-Hilgemann Racing[/autotag] continues to add drivers to its lineup ahead of the 2024 NASCAR Truck Series season. On Friday morning, McAnally-Hilgemann Racing announced that [autotag]Zane Smith[/autotag] will run four races in the No. 91 truck this season. Smith will join Christian Eckes, Daniel Dye, Tyler Ankrum, and Jack Wood as drivers for the NASCAR team.
The 2022 Truck Series champion will drive the No. 91 truck at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 1, Bristol Motor Speedway on March 16, Texas Motor Speedway on April 12, and Kansas Speedway on May 4. Instacoat Premium Products will sponsor Smith in three of his four races, with the other event currently to be determined.
We're running it back with @instacoatpp in 2024, and @ZaneSmith is coming along for the ride!
Smith is a massive addition to the McAnally-Hilgemann Racing lineup as he has proven his ability to win in the Truck Series. Eckes will lead the NASCAR organization for a second straight year, but it helps to have other winning drivers on the team. For Smith, breaking away from the NASCAR Cup Series and racing for victories in the Truck Series will be good.
Trackhouse Racing announced on Friday morning that Zane Smith will be sponsored by Focused Health in 20 NASCAR Cup Series races in 2024.
[autotag]Zane Smith[/autotag] signed with Trackhouse Racing for the 2024 NASCAR season and beyond; however, he will race for Spire Motorsports before transitioning to his new team. In 2024, Smith will drive the No. 71 Cup car as he becomes teammates with Corey LaJoie and Carson Hocevar for his rookie campaign. Now, the 2022 NASCAR Truck Series champion has a major sponsor.
On Friday morning, Trackhouse Racing announced that Focused Health will sponsor Smith for 20 Cup Series races in 2024. The company will make its debut on the No. 71 car at the Busch Light Clash at The Coliseum on February 4. The press release didn’t indicate any other races, but they will serve as the anchor sponsor for Smith.
There are high hopes for Smith as he looks to develop into a race-winning Cup Series driver. Spire Motorsports will represent a good first step for the 24-year-old driver as Trackhouse Racing aims for him to join the team in 2025. Smith will use the 2024 season as a stepping stone for years to come as he gets used to the grind of a full Cup Series schedule.
Zane Smith’s new crew chief in the NASCAR Cup Series for the 2024 season has been revealed. Who is Smith’s new crew chief?
[autotag]Zane Smith[/autotag] signed a long-term contract with Trackhouse Racing during the 2023 NASCAR season; however, that doesn’t mean he will drive for them in 2024. Smith will pilot the No. 71 Cup car for Spire Motorsports in his rookie season alongside fellow rookie Carson Hocevar and Corey LaJoie. Now, the 24-year-old driver has a crew chief for next year.
Spire Motorsports announced on Wednesday afternoon that Stephen Doran will be Smith’s crew chief for the No. 71 team. Doran has been with Stewart-Haas Racing since 2012, and specifically the No. 4 team with Kevin Harvick since 2014. This will be the 38-year-old’s first opportunity to be a crew chief at NASCAR’s top level.
This is a good partnership as Smith looks to develop at Spire Motorsports next year. Doran has experience on a championship and race-winning team in the NASCAR Cup Series, so it should be great for Smith. For now, Smith and Doran will look ahead to the 2024 Daytona 500 as they both make their full-time debuts in the Cup Series.
Zane Smith’s car number with Spire Motorsports has been revealed for the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season. Check out Smith’s new number!
[autotag]Zane Smith[/autotag] signed a long-term contract with Trackhoouse Racing but will be full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series with [autotag]Spire Motorsports[/autotag] in 2024. This came after Spire Motorsports bought a charter from Live Fast Motorsports while Trackhouse Racing allowed him to pilot the third entry. However, Smith’s car number was unknown until this week.
According to FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass, Smith will drive the No. 71 car for Spire Motorsports in 2024. On Thursday morning, Smith posted “71” on X, which seems to indicate his car number for next year. The 2024 NASCAR season will represent his first full-time campaign in the Cup Series after running for Front Row Motorsports in the NASCAR Truck Series.
Dave Marcis and Bobby Isaac are the most notable drivers to pilot the No. 71 car in the Cup Series. Marcis had a high of 589 starts while Isaac won 35 races. Now, Smith will be able to add his name to the list while looking to join Marcis, Isaac, Buddy Baker, and Fireball Roberts as Cup Series winners in the No. 71 car.
Trackhouse Racing continues to grow as Justin Marks had envisioned when founding his team a few years ago, and having Zane Smith under contract next season is the latest piece. “Expansion is something that has been important to use since we first …
Trackhouse Racing continues to grow as Justin Marks had envisioned when founding his team a few years ago, and having Zane Smith under contract next season is the latest piece.
“Expansion is something that has been important to use since we first got on the racetrack, getting to a place where we felt like we could be the most competitive organization as possible,” Marks said. “Expansion can look a lot of different ways.”
“Nothing will look different in 2024. Trackhouse Racing will still field two full-time cars for Ross Chastain and Daniel Suarez and there is a developmental deal in place for Shane van Gisbergen that has yet to be laid out.
Smith (pictured above), meanwhile, will compete under the Spire Motorsports banner as a Trackhouse Racing driver. He will be in the Trackhouse system, meetings, and have a presence in the race shop as he continues to develop into a Cup Series driver.
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“With our alliance with Spire and the opportunity to have Zane drive over there next year gives us the ability to grow in 2024 to an organization where we can put three cars on the racetrack full-time in 2025 and beyond,” Marks said. “As that conversation started happening and conversations around the garage area about what growth looks like for Trackhouse, there was a short list of names and Zane was pretty much at the top of that list the whole time. Huge fan of him, what he’s accomplished in the race car, his talent and his grind.
“Probably most importantly and a core tenant of what we do at Trackhouse is he’s a good human and a good person. We try to have good people in our company no matter what they’re capable or not capable of doing. Zane proved that to us really, really quickly in our early conversations. I’m really excited to facilitate a Cup ride for him in 2024 and then go to work as Trackhouse Racing to expand and put three race cars on the racetrack in ’25 and beyond and have Zane be a part of that for a while.”
The new alliance of Trackhouse and Spire Motorsports enables Justin Marks’ team to expand in the most efficient way possible. Gavin Baker/Motorsport Images
Smith is signed to a multiyear deal with Trackhouse Racing. Specific details on contracts are rarely shared, but team president Ty Norris made it known the organization had “acquired (Smith’s) rights well into the future.”
Marks explained it was a strategic decision to farm Smith out for his first full season. With the resources it takes to get a team up and running, Trackhouse Racing wants to take its time getting essential pieces in place (like waiting on haulers becoming available) instead of throwing together a program.
The reigning Craftsman Truck Series champion has become a top prospect in recent years. Not only for his performance with Front Row Motorsports in the Truck Series but in the limited Cup Series starts he’s made since last season, keeping the cars in one piece and performing well for the equipment. Front Row, however, was unable to put together a full-time third team in the Cup Series, opening the door for Trackhouse Racing and Chevrolet.
All three drivers — Smith, Chastain and Suarez — are signed to multiyear deals. Van Gisbergen’s deal is specific to 2024, and Marks acknowledged there are a lot of unknowns around how he’ll perform and the future of that program. There will be more to come on that in the future as Marks focuses on bringing Smith into the fold.
“Zane is a driver we have placed with the help of Spire in another car that we’re going to be supporting,” Marks said. “It’s really to make sure all of Zane’s opportunities develop in experiences. Everything next year is in the context of him learning in the first year in the Cup Series and becoming a Trackhouse driver under our roof.”
In a multipart announcement Saturday, Trackhouse Racing revealed it has signed Zane Smith to a multiyear deal for its NASCAR Cup Series program. In 2024, Smith will compete in the Cup Series for Spire Motorsports with the goal of joining Trackhouse …
In a multipart announcement Saturday, Trackhouse Racing revealed it has signed Zane Smith to a multiyear deal for its NASCAR Cup Series program.
In 2024, Smith will compete in the Cup Series for Spire Motorsports with the goal of joining Trackhouse proper in 2025. Spire has formed an alliance with Trackhouse after purchasing a third charter from Live Fast Motorsports.
“Expansion is not something to be taken lightly, but we feel Trackhouse is commercially and technically positioned for growth,” Justin Marks said. “You need good timing, very good partners, and great drivers. Adding Zane is like signing the No. 1 draft pick, and we are proud that he is now a member of the Trackhouse family.”
Trackhouse Racing will field two full-time entries next season, having previously signed Ross Chastain and Daniel Suarez to extensions. The organization debuted as a single-car team with Suarez in 2021 and grew to a two-car team last season, finishing second in the championship with Chastain and winning three races with both its drivers.
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A fourth-year driver in the Craftsman Truck Series, Smith is the reigning champion. He is in the midst of defending his championship with Front Row Motorsports.
Smith has made seven starts in the Cup Series, his debut coming in June 2022 in St. Louis as the substitute driver for Chris Buescher at RRK Racing, finishing 17th. He’s made six starts this season between Front Row Motorsports and Rick Ware Racing, finishing 10th in the Coca-Cola 600 with Front Row.
“This is an incredible moment for me,” Smith said. “Trackhouse is one of the most progressive organizations in the garage. I told some friends a year ago that I wanted to be a part of what Trackhouse is doing and I just can’t believe this is all coming true. I am very excited and thankful to have a future with the organization.
“The Cup Series is the pinnacle of racing in America, and I cannot wait to compete, learn and hone my skills against the best in the world. I am really looking forward to working with the Spire Motorsports team in 2024 and believe the alliance with Trackhouse will help continue Spire’s ascent up the grid.”
Earlier this week, Trackhouse announced the signing of Shane van Gisbergen to a development deal. The New Zealander will run across all three national series in 2024. The look of the team’s lineup in 2025 will be determined over time.
Trackhouse Racing announces it has signed Zane Smith to a multi-year contract and loaned him to Spire Motorsports for the 2024 season.
[autotag]Trackhouse Racing[/autotag] has shocked the NASCAR world with an announcement involving the former Truck Series champion. [autotag]Zane Smith[/autotag], a driver for Front Row Motorsports in the Truck Series, has signed a multi-year contract with Trackhouse Racing for the 2024 season and beyond. Also, the organization has formed an alliance with [autotag]Spire Motorsports[/autotag], which will be Smith’s home for next year.
Spire Motorsports confirmed that it has purchased a charter from Live Fast Motorsports for next season. This partnership allows Smith to run under the Spire Motorsports banner, which is similar to Erik Jones and Furniture Row Racing in the past. The goal is for Trackhouse Racing to run three full-time entries in 2025.
Overall, this is a shocking move, and Trackhouse Racing comes out well in this scenario. The organization has now signed both Smith and Shane van Gibsergen to contracts in the last week. If there had to be a winner for this year’s version of NASCAR silly season, Trackhouse Racing absolutely has the honor.
Zane Smith gives a massive update about his plans for the 2024 NASCAR season. You won’t want to miss what Smith had to say about them!
[autotag]Zane Smith[/autotag] was in the conversation of potentially joining Front Row Motorsports in the NASCAR Cup Series; however, that did not come to fruition after the organization announced that Michael McDowell and Todd Gilliland would return in 2024. It meant that Smith would need to go elsewhere for his Cup Series dreams if he wanted to do it next year.
Overall, Stewart-Haas Racing would be an ideal situation for the defending NASCAR Truck Series champion if Aric Almirola would retire from the sport but that is not known yet. However, it is known that Smith now has a ride for next year. The Front Row Motorsports driver jumped on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio to talk about his plans for 2024.
“I do and I wish I could share it with you guys right now but my deal is done and I know what I am doing (in 2024),” Smith said. “Hopefully, the news will come out this week or sometime soon. We’re working hard on getting an announcement out.”
“It was signed last week. It’s everything I have ever wanted. Super excited for it and for what the future holds. It’s a weight off my shoulders knowing that I have a future in this sport.”
The announcement on Smith’s future should be coming out soon and it shouldn’t be surprising that he found something relatively quickly. The driver of the No. 38 truck for Front Row Motorsports has proven that he can be successful in NASCAR and one lucky organization will be able to pick up Ford’s best prospect.
Stewart-Haas Racing may have to replace Aric Almirola if he retires from NASCAR. If so, the race team should target these drivers for 2024.
[autotag]Stewart-Haas Racing[/autotag] is already faced with the reality of Kevin Harvick leaving the organization and another NASCAR Cup Series driver may follow suit. Aric Almirola, the driver of the No. 10 car, has a “very high chance” of retiring from the sport at the conclusion of the 2023 season. If so, which drivers would make sense for the race team?
[autotag]Zane Smith[/autotag] is the natural target and one that has previously been covered. Smith, the defending NASCAR Truck Series champion, is allowed to pursue other opportunities after Front Row Motorsports failed to promote him to the Cup Series. If young, pure talent is the organization’s priority, Smith would be the perfect fit as Almirola’s replacement in the No. 10 car.
If Smith is not a viable option due to sponsorship, Stewart-Haas Racing has [autotag]Riley Herbst[/autotag], a NASCAR Xfinity Series driver for the organization, in the pipeline. Herbst carries sponsorship from Monster Energy and would be able to fill the hole that Smithfield Foods may dig. The Las Vegas native has cooled down after a hot start to the season; however, it would be a worthy consideration due to the financial aspect.
Finally, there is an out-of-the-box idea that would make sense for Stewart-Haas Racing. What about ThorSport Racing driver [autotag]Ty Majeski[/autotag]? The driver of the No. 98 truck has dominated the last two races with first and second-place finishes. Majeski likely represents the second-best driver in the Ford pipeline without full-time experience in the Cup Series. It would be an unexpected move but one that would make sense if talent is the priority.
Either way, the No. 10 car for Stewart-Haas Racing represents the best ride open in NASCAR silly season if Almirola retires at the end of the year. The organization needs to rebuild its driver lineup and any of these drivers would be a good addition to the team.
Front Row Motorsports gives a big update on their contract offer to defending NASCAR Truck Series champion Zane Smith for the 2024 season.
[autotag]Front Row Motorsports[/autotag] had one of the best weeks of its existence leading up to the Indianapolis Road Course. During the week, the organization announced that Michael McDowell and Todd Gilliland would return to the NASCAR Cup Series program in 2024. Then on Sunday, McDowell held off Hendrick Motorsports driver Chase Elliott for the victory at Indianapolis.
It was a great couple of days for Front Row Motorsports; however, there are still questions about one of their driver’s future.[autotag] Zane Smith[/autotag], the defending NASCAR Truck Series champion, will not join the Cup Series program and can pursue other opportunities. This includes the possibility of returning to the organization next season. However, is this realistic? Front Row Motorsports hopes that is the case.
According to SiriusXM NASCAR Radio’s Danielle Trotta, Front Row Motorsports general manager Jerry Freeze said the organization has offered Smith an opportunity to return to the Truck Series program and make limited Cup Series starts next year. Freeze said Smith’s future is still unknown and that no deal has been completed at this time.
The driver of the No. 38 truck should have better opportunities available, such as being the replacement for Aric Almirola at Stewart-Haas Racing if he retires from NASCAR. For now, Smith will look at other situations while a confirmed offer is on the table from Front Row Motorsports.
