Tag: zane smith

Zane Smith’s best NASCAR opportunities for the 2024 season

Zane Smith is the odd man left out at Front Row Motorsports in the NASCAR Cup Series; however, here are Smith’s best opportunities for 2024.

[autotag]Zane Smith[/autotag] was not included when Front Row Motorsports announced their 2024 NASCAR Cup Series lineup and it was mildly surprising. Front Row Motorsports has been giving Smith the opportunity to drive the No. 38 car in place of Todd Gilliland for select races this season and many expected him to have a spot in their Cup Series lineup next year.

Instead, the defending NASCAR Truck Series champion remains in discussions with the organization as he explores other rides for the 2024 season. The idea of Smith joining Stewart-Haas Racing in the Cup Series is the ideal situation; however, what if that doesn’t take place and he remains looking for another seat?

What about the possibility of staying at Front Row Motorsports? This doesn’t seem like the most realistic option because Smith doesn’t really need another season in the Truck Series. The 24-year-old driver has nothing else to prove in the NASCAR division so unless the organization opens up an Xfinity Series entry, the likelihood of returning seems low.

Stewart-Haas Racing could still add Smith to its NASCAR Xfinity Series lineup but it would likely depend on what happens with Cole Custer and Riley Herbst. The organization currently has two full-time entries and one of those drivers would likely need to leave for Smith to actually have a seat. Still, this would be his best opportunity in the Xfinity Series as Stewart-Haas Racing is the top Ford-backed team.

Finally, RSS Racing could be an option in the Xfinity Series if Front Row Motorsports and Stewart-Haas Racing don’t work out. Ford doesn’t have many organizations in the lower ranks so this would likely be Smith’s second-best option in the Xfinity Series. Plus, there are very limited Ford opportunities in the Cup Series.

If it came down to the Cup Series, there would be three main options with Stewart-Haas Racing, Wood Brothers Racing, and Rick Ware Racing. Harrison Burton is expected to return to Wood Brothers Racing so that would leave the other two teams. Ford’s lack of seats really makes this difficult so for Smith’s sake, Stewart-Haas Racing should sign him if Aric Almirola retires from NASCAR.

 

Zane Smith, Stewart-Haas Racing would be an ideal partnership in 2024

Zane Smith and Stewart-Haas Racing joining forces in the NASCAR Cup Series is the most logical outcome for both parties in 2024.

[autotag]Stewart-Haas Racing[/autotag]’s driver lineup after the 2023 NASCAR season concludes is still up in the air. Despite hiring Josh Berry to replace Kevin Harvick in the No. 4 car next year, the organization could find itself in a situation where Aric Almirola, who has a “very high chance” of retiring, leaves an opening for the No. 10 car.

There have been several drivers linked to Stewart-Haas Racing; however, two of the major contenders were taken off the board this week. Front Row Motorsports decided to exercise the options on Michael McDowell and Todd Gilliland’s contracts to bring them back for the 2024 season. McDowell and Gilliland were linked to the No. 10 car but now only one name from the Front Row Motorsports group remains.

[autotag]Zane Smith[/autotag], the defending NASCAR Truck Series champion, will surprisingly not be a part of Front Row Motorsports’ plans in the NASCAR Cup Series next season. Quite frankly, McDowell made the most sense before the news but Smith was a close second. Now, the Front Row Motorsports driver should be the favorite on the surface.

Smith is Ford’s best prospect and while Stewart-Haas Racing is not on the same level as Team Penske or RFK Racing, the organization still has the ability to win races on a weekly basis. It makes too much sense to keep the 2022 Truck Series champion in the lower ranks of NASCAR when he is likely ready to make the jump to Cup Series competition.

There are other options, such as Wood Brothers Racing and Rick Ware Racing, but they don’t have good enough equipment to truly compete right now. Therefore, Smith joining Stewart-Haas Racing is the best and most logical outcome for both sides. Smithfield Foods, a primary sponsor on the No. 10 car, could leave with Almirola; however, the team did hire Berry, who doesn’t carry much sponsorship.

If Stewart-Haas Racing wants to continue the idea of not allowing pay drivers to join the Cup Series program, Smith makes the most sense. In fact, the 24-year-old driver would be the only driver that is an obvious fit. The question that Stewart-Haas Racing needs to answer is whether they want secured sponsorship or talent that may not come with as much.

[lawrence-related id=336]

Zane Smith cheered by career-best Cup Series run at CMS

Zane Smith climbed from his No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford Mustang with smiles fitting of a top-10 finish in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The 10th-place finish was a career-best run for Smith. Monday’s postponed race was his …

Zane Smith climbed from his No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford Mustang with smiles fitting of a top-10 finish in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

The 10th-place finish was a career-best run for Smith. Monday’s postponed race was his sixth career start in the NASCAR Cup Series and fifth with Front Row.

“I am so, so happy, as happy as could be,” Smith said. “I was worried when we didn’t take tires there, and we were running really good and had a really good day. It just worked out, so just a great job by this whole 38 Boot Barn FRM team.

“We got our Mustang better and better every single stop and that’s so cool. We run on half the budget, if that, then a lot of these guys, so to finish top 10 in our sixth start at the Coke 600 is really cool.”

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1428]

Smith’s previous best finish in the series was 13th in the Daytona 500. A year ago, Smith finished 17th in St. Louis in his series debut when he filled in for Chris Buescher, sidelined by COVID-19.

In his first Coca-Cola 600, Smith also led the first laps of his career when crew chief Ryan Bergenty kept him on track when the caution flew with 43 laps to go. Smith, who had a solid top-20 car throughout the race, inherited the lead but quickly fell backward when the race restarted.

Smith pitted for the last time to take tires when the final caution flew with 26 laps to go. It didn’t take him long to use those to his advantage to drive to 10th place.

One of the first things Smith said to the team as they greeted him at the car was the run was bad (expletive).

“It’s been a rough three weeks for me and the Cup Series is a different level,” Smith said. “Obviously, I’m trying to prove I belong here, and it’s just an outstanding run. Ryan does an outstanding job, and it’s so cool, to one, finish this race, but better yet, with a top 10.”

Monday was the longest race Smith had ever run. Having enjoyed the experience and finished well, Smith was ready for more afterward.

“I got to about halfway, and I had heard that story coming into this of how long this race feels, and I did a lot of preparation for the past month of just trying to prepare myself for this one,” Smith said. “I feel like I could go another 100 (miles) more, so did a good job there.

“But I’m just so proud of everyone at FRM and on this 38 car. It’s an outstanding job, I thought.”

Smith gets the call-up for Rick Ware Racing at Martinsville

Zane Smith will make his third NASCAR Cup Series start of the season this weekend at Martinsville Speedway as he fills for Rick Ware Racing and the No. 51 team. It will be Smith’s fourth career start in the series. The reigning Craftsman Truck …

Zane Smith will make his third NASCAR Cup Series start of the season this weekend at Martinsville Speedway as he fills for Rick Ware Racing and the No. 51 team.

It will be Smith’s fourth career start in the series. The reigning Craftsman Truck Series champion made one start last year as a substitute for RFK Racing when Chris Buescher was sidelined by COVID-19 ahead of the race in St. Louis, and he’s running select races for Front Row Motorsports in the No. 38 Ford this year.

[lawrence-related id=322422]

Smith will pull double-duty at Martinsville Speedway. Friday night, Smith will practice, qualify, and race his No. 38 Ford for the Craftsman Truck Series race. Saturday, Smith will practice and qualify in the No. 51 Ford for Rick Ware Racing before running the race on Sunday. It will be the first time he’s run a Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway.

Smith replaces Cody Ware, who was indefinitely suspended by NASCAR earlier this week after being arrested and charged Monday, April 10, in Iredell County (N.C.) with assault on a female and assault by strangulation – inflict serious injury.

Ware, 27, went through a court appearance the same day with a bond set at $3,000. He is scheduled to appear in court next on May 1.

Zane Smith goes back to back and burns it down at COTA Truck Series race

Zane Smith became the first repeat NASCAR winner at the Circuit of The Americas road course, the reigning series champion holding off veteran Kyle Busch to claim his second straight victory in Saturday’s XPEL 225 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race. …

Zane Smith became the first repeat NASCAR winner at the Circuit of The Americas road course, the reigning series champion holding off veteran Kyle Busch to claim his second straight victory in Saturday’s XPEL 225 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race.

The 23-year-old Californian’s No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford led the final 15 laps – a race best 16 of the 42 laps in all — and crossed the finish line an impressive 5.451s ahead of the two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Busch. The win makes Smith’s Front Row Motorsports team a perfect three-for-three in Craftsman Truck Series races at COTA. Todd Gilliland won the 2021 inaugural here.

Ford driver Ty Majeski, Toyota’s Tyler Ankrum and last year’s NASCAR Cup Series COTA winner Ross Chastain, in a Chevrolet, rounded out the top five.

It’s the second victory of the year for Smith, who won the season-opener at Daytona too – the same first two victories he earned in his 2022 championship season as well.

“Shout out to Chris Lawson for an amazing strategy,” said Smith, whose Ford F-150 had a small fire under it extinguished after his burnout.

“So cool for (sponsors) Speedco, Peak and all our partners. It was fast when it mattered. I just enjoy coming to all the road courses, especially here. So cool. Just a true testament to this team.

“Once we got to that eight-to-go point and I was told Kyle (Busch) was in second, my heart rate went up a little bit, just because he’s so good at managing his stuff when it mattered,” Smith continued. “So, I just tried not to make any mistakes.”

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1428]

Polesitter Chastain and Busch exchanged the lead for much of the early race – combining to lead 22 laps between them. Smith was able to take the lead after pitting just before the final caution and getting track position. Chastain’s truck actually fell back to 28th for the final restart and Busch’s was 17th, yet they both rallied to top-five finishes.

Both of the NASCAR Cup Series full-timers wasted no time navigating upward through the field. On just the single restart lap, Busch had moved up 10 spots and ran seventh – picking off positions with ease. He moved into second place with six laps to go, but by that point Smith had already opened up more than a 5s advantage.

“Played the long game and unfortunately the long game didn’t work; they got lucky and beat us,” Busch said of gambling with a pit strategy that took the No. 51 Kyle Busch Motorsports Chevrolet into the pits two laps – and a caution flag — after Smith made his final stop.

Corey Heim, rookie Nick Sanchez, Tanner Gray, Kaz Grala and Ben Rhodes rounded out the top-10. NASCAR has eliminated stage breaks at road courses in 2023 but both Christian Eckes – who ultimately finished 30th after mechanical problems – won Stage 1 (his third stage win of the year) and Busch won Stage 2.

The win Saturday was Smith’s ninth in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and puts him in the driver standings lead by two-points on ThorSport Racing’s Majeski heading into the next race, the SpeedyCash.com 250 next Saturday at Texas Motor Speedway (4:30 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

RESULTS

Winning NASCAR driver’s truck caught fire after his gnarly burnout

Zane Smith literally burned it down after his Circuit of The Americas win.

NASCAR Truck Series driver Zane Smith put on a show Saturday at Circuit of The Americas after winning his second consecutive Truck race at the Austin road course. And it was a fiery one, literally.

The reigning Truck champion won the 42-lap race on the 3.426-mile circuit, holding off two-time Cup Series champ Kyle Busch, who finished second.

Afterward, Smith celebrated his victory in a very conventional NASCAR way with a stellar burnout. But he may have taken the “burn it down” celebration a little too seriously because by the time he climbed out of his No. 38 Ford truck, his left rear and right rear wheels were engulfed in some pretty intense flames.

Now, it’s unclear if the flames were from his fierce burnout, from a burnout done wrong, something mechanical and entirely unrelated or, as the FOX Sports broadcast speculated, from the mud flaps behind the tire.

But since he safely made it out of the car, the appearance of him literally burning it down is hilarious.

And safety crews at the track seemed to extinguish the fire relatively quickly.

[lawrence-related id=1957205,759008]

Kansas Lottery 250 Live Stream, NASCAR Xfinity Series, Start Time, TV Channel, NASCAR Starting Lineup

The NASCAR Xfinity Series is back with the Kansas Lottery 250 on Saturday afternoon at Kansas Speedway. Stream all the action here.

NASCAR Xfinity Series is back at Kansas Speedway with the 2020 Kansas Lottery 250. Michael Annett will start in the pole position tonight and will share the first row with Brandon Jones.

Here is everything that you need to know to follow the NASCAR action tonight!

[protected-iframe id=”59ebe181bd95a408ffd30d712f2d1f25-58289342-150719707″ info=”https://fubo-preview.global.ssl.fastly.net/lp/preview/index-lite.html?params=irad%3D540143%26irmp%3D1205322%26pack%3Dfubotv-basic&page_slug=NBCSN” style=”max-width: 640px;” width = “100%”]

Kansas Lottery 250

  • Date: Saturday, July 25
  • Race Time: 5:00 p.m. ET
  • TV Channel: NBCSN
  • Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free)

NASCAR Starting Lineup at Kansas

1. (1) Michael Annett, Chevrolet.

2. (19) Brandon Jones, Toyota.

3. (21) Kaz Grala, Chevrolet.

4. (22) Austin Cindric, Ford.

5. {20) Harrison Burton, Toyota.

6. (98) Chase Briscoe, Ford.

7. (10) Ross Chastain, Chevrolet.

8. (18) Riley Herbst, Toyota.

9. (8) Daniel Hemric, Chevrolet.

10.(9) Noah Gragson, Chevrolet.

11. (7) Justin Allgaier, Chevrolet.

12. (11) Justin Haley, Chevrolet.

13. (0) Jeffrey Earnhardt, Chevrolet.

14. (4) Jesse Little, Chevrolet.

15. (07) David Starr, Chevrolet.

16. (39) Ryan Sieg, Chevrolet.

17. (51) Jeremy Clements, Chevrolet.

18. (36) Dexter Bean, Chevrolet.

19. (90) Alex Labbe, Chevrolet.

20. (6) BJ McLeod, Chevrolet.

21. (61) Timmy Hill, Toyota.

22. (68) Brandon Brown, Chevrolet.

23. (02) Brett Moffitt, Chevrolet.

24. (92) Josh Williams, Chevrolet.

25. (66) Stephen Leicht, Toyota.

26. (99) Ja Junior Avila, Toyota.

27. (74) Bayley Currey, Chevrolet.

28. (44) Tommy Joe Martins, Chevrolet.

29. (52) Kody Vanderwal, Chevrolet.

30. (15) Ryan Vargas, Chevrolet.

31. (13) Chad Finchum, Toyota.

32. (5) Matt Mills, Chevrolet.

33. (93) Myatt Snider, Chevrolet.

34. (08) Joe Graf, Jr., Chevrolet.

35. (47) Kyle Weatherman, Chevrolet.

36. (78) Vinnie Miller, Chevrolet.

37. (26) Colin Garrett, Toyota.

NASCAR Odds and betting lines

Want some action on NASCAR? Place your legal sports bets on this game or others in CO, IN, NJ, and WV at BetMGM.

For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

We recommend interesting sports viewing/streaming and betting opportunities. If you sign up for a service by clicking one of the links, we may earn a referral fee. 

Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.