Amid Trackhouse’s SVG Favoritism, NASCAR’s Rising Underdogs Could Open Doors to a Cup Series Rookie: “He’s Gonna Be a Star”

Who’s the biggest villain in NASCAR right now? Many might point their fingers toward a certain veteran driver from Joe Gibbs Racing. But, the one actually running the show is none other than charters! As NASCAR is possibly eyeing limiting three charters per team (except for Hendrick Motorsports and JGR, who will be grandfathered in with four), most owners find themselves in a precarious situation. And who would understand that better than the folks at Trackhouse Racing!

With ambitious plans extending till 2025, and exciting new faces slated to join the team (making it a four-car situation despite two charters currently), owner Justin Marks will certainly be looking for two more charters. But will NASCAR allow it? And, if it doesn’t, which driver will bear the brunt of an ousting? Well, Marks is unlikely to replace his two full-time drivers, Daniel Suarez and Ross Chastain. That leaves the onus on Shane van Gisbergen and Zane Smith, and as per some recent updates, it seems, Smith might have something to worry about!

Zane Smith to meet an old friend again?

As things stand, Cup Series rookie Zane Smith signed a “long-term deal” with Trackhouse ahead of the 2023 season. But, he has been loaned to Spire Motorsports under a sponsorship deal and is only expected to join Justin Marks’ arsenal next season. Meanwhile, Supercars-turned-NASCAR driver Shane van Gisbergen is currently running a full-time Xfinity schedule with Kaulig Racing, and will probably transition to the Cup Series full-time in 2025, as well.

But if the situation demands, one racer will eventually have to leave. But fret not, because even if Smith ends up being the exiting driver, the driver has a safety net – his former team, Front Row Motorsports.

According to FRM general manager Jerry Freeze, Smith has the skills to be the next NASCAR star. “If Zane were to be a free agent for next year, that’s something we would certainly be interested in for sure. I don’t know whether he is, but we really believe in Zane’s talent and I think he’s gonna be a star,” the executive said in an interview with Bob Pockrass. Case in point, he clinched the NASCAR Truck Series championship in 2022 under the FRM banner and spent two full seasons racing with the team. However, on the Cup side of things, the racer has only had one podium finish till now (a P2 at Nashville), and one Top-15 at the Daytona 500.

With three DNFs and an average finish of 26.25, Smith certainly hasn’t had his big breakthrough in his debut year. Yet, Freeze thinks that the rookie driver has had it rough, rubbing shoulders with some of the best drivers in the sport. And well, that is the only way to grow in the sport. “Everybody’s gotta go through that learning curve in the Cup series and he’s no different than Todd was or Austin Cindric or some of the other guys. So I think he is a star in the making without a doubt,” Freeze added. And many factors do point toward a permanent seat for Zane Smith at FRM.

Long-time FRM driver Michael McDowell announced he would be leaving the team at the end of the 2024 season. On the other hand, Todd Gilliand, who has been with the Tier-1 Ford team (on-and-off) since 2022, signed a multi-year contract extension last month. Additionally, defunct Cup Series team, Stewart-Haas Racing drive Noah Gragson also signed a multi-year contract starting next year, filling the last of the two seats. But, in June, FRM bought a charter from SHR, which does leave one seat open as of now.

But it is to be noted that nothing’s set in stone. There are multiple other drivers who could find a place at the Bob Jenkins-owned organization.

Potential candidates that could compete with Smith

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For a long time, FRM has been looking to field a competitive line-up of drivers, and with the third charter, they are developing into an underdog that aims to lock horns against the top ones of the sport. “I always have the vision to continue to grow and improve our team and that commitment and desire never changes. I am committed to the sport and its passionate fans and partners,” owner Bob Jenkins earlier this year. But they have yet to finalize the final piece of the puzzle by confirming their third driver.

Apart from Smith, Sam Mayer is also rumored to be one of the favorites. The JRM star has been consistent in his three years in the Xfinity Series. This year, the 21-year-old has already clinched two victories in the second division (at Texas and Iowa), along with nine Top-10 and seven Top-5s. On top of that, the youngster has been aching for a Cup seat, so it’s no wonder that FRM might decide to extend him a helping hand.

“It kind of pisses me off, to be honest with you. I feel like we’ve proved ourselves a lot more. Like, I’m dead serious it makes me so mad that my name isn’t in more hats for race teams. So, hopefully, today kind of put my name in a couple of them. We’re working really hard I want to go Sunday racing, obviously, one day. How soon? I don’t know,” Mayer had said in a post-race interview after his Iowa win.

23-year-old Christian Eckes is also another option they could consider, as he has lit up the stage in the Craftsman Truck Series. His seven of the eight Truck wins have come in two years, making him one of the hot prospects in the NASCAR scene. This season alone, the 23-year-old has already garnered three wins, 12 Top-10s and seven Top-5s. Not just that, Eckes also became the only Truck driver in 12 years to lead all 150 laps to win the Rackley Roofing 200 race at the Nashville Superspeedway. So, according to many, if anyone deserves a place in a Cup seat, it’s him!

However, given how turbulent this NASCAR silly season has been, there could be a surprise pick that FRM decides to roll with. But the ball is in Smith’s court to respond to this gesture by his former team. Do you think he’ll consider the offer? Tell us your upcoming silly season predictions in the comments below!