Trackhouse Racing and Zane Smith will part ways at the end of the NASCAR season.
The news came on Friday night via social media. It confirms months of speculation that Smith would be the odd man out, should Shane van Gisbergen potentially move into the Cup Series with Trackhouse Racing next season. The New Zealander also a Trackhouse Racing contracted driver, has been running in the Xfinity Series for Kaulig Racing in a deal struck between the two sides.
“Trackhouse Racing and Zane Smith have mutually agreed to separate at the conclusion of the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season, allowing the 25-year-old former NASCAR Truck Series champion to immediately accept other opportunities,” the team posted. “Smith drives the No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet in an alliance with Trackhouse Racing and will continue for the remainder of this season.”
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Smith was signed to a multiyear deal by Trackhouse Racing in September. The goal, at the time, was to bring Smith in-house in 2025 as the organization looked to expand to three full-time entries. In the meantime, Smith was loaned to Spire Motorsports in a deal with Trackhouse Racing for the 2024 season.
He ran four seasons in the Craftsman Truck Series (2020-2023) for GMS Racing and Front Row Motorsports. He won the 2022 championship with Front Row Motorsports.
But Smith’s also made various starts in both the Xfinity Series and Cup Series during that time, making his Cup Series debut as the substitute driver for Chris Buescher at RFK Racing in 2022 and picking up a top-10 finish in 2023 in a third Front Row car. Smith is a Rookie of the Year contender with Spire Motorsports and has two top-10 finishes in the last six Cup Series.
“Obviously, I am disappointed that I’ve been put in a tough spot,” Smith posted on social media. “I am diligently exploring quality driving opportunities and hope to quickly wrap up my plans for next year. Meanwhile, kudos to our #71 Cup team. We’ve turned our year around this summer with six top-20 finishes in the last 10 races, which includes a top-10 finish last weekend and a runner-up finish in Nashville.
“With more determination than ever, I will continue to do what I know best and that is to work hard, race my heart out, and prove myself. Thank you to everyone that has and continues to stand behind me.”