“Changed the Dynamic”- Zane Smith Credits His Truck Series Team for Massive Cup Series Opportunity Amidst Phoenix Championship Chase

Things are turning out well for reigning Truck Series champion Zane Smith. Despite falling short on his title run and getting disqualified and eliminated after a crucial race in Homestead, Miami, a few days earlier, Smith has his Cup Series entry cut out for him, striking chords with Trackhouse Racing on a massive multi-year deal.

Reflecting on the major turnaround, the #38 driver shared his thoughts before his final Truck Series race this season. From being a part-timer in Stock Car Racing’s top promotion to being a full-timer with one of the best teams, Smith’s life has come around in a full circle. Opening up on his dream opportunity, the 24-year-old revealed his thoughts, thanking his Truck Series team as he extended his gratitude before making the switch to Chevrolet from Ford.

Zane Smith bows down to his Truck Series team, showing his appreciation for the Cup Series opportunity

Starting 4th in Friday’s Truck Series champion race is Zane Smith. The reigning champion came up with the 4th fastest time of 26.432 seconds around the 1-mile raceway. Despite getting knocked out of the tournament, Smith has high hopes for the season finale in Phoenix, hoping to leave with the trophy on Friday.

Smith, who was a massive favorite for the title, fell short at the crucial race in Miami, where he needed a win to advance into the final 4. Not only were the driver’s consecutive title hopes squashed, but the race also got the #38 Front Row Motorsports truck disqualified after it failed NASCAR’s post-race technical inspection.

While the setback has the driver on the back foot, he isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. In fact, he was eyeing a decisive win in Phoenix. Speaking to Fronstretch, the driver shared his thoughts on landing his dream opportunity in NASCAR’s top-tier division with Trackhouse Racing, where he will be loaned to Spire Motorsports for a ride in 2024.

Following his practice, he thanked his #38 FRM team, saying, “I mean this race team has done an absolute ton for me, completely changed the dynamic of where my career went and so just definitely a surreal day but excited for the future, excited to be racing in the Cup side but just trying to enjoy today and hopefully leave today with the trophy.”

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Smith reflects on his practice run in Phoenix

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While Carson Hocevar, Ben Rhoades, Grant Enfinger, and Corey Heim will battle it out in Pheonix for the title, Smith will be hoping to upset the title contenders and walk off with a win to a spectacular 2024 Cup Series start. The Ford performance driver made a drastic switch, changing sides to Chevy and signing with Trackhouse Racing in his debut full-time Cup Series season in 2024.

But first, he has to get past the season-ending finale in Phoenix. Reflecting on his practice and qualifying run, Smith said, “I was really happy with my Truck and we got it closer to where we were last year which I was really happy about obviously.” He then shared his thoughts on running the final race under the hot conditions following a “tough” qualifying run. 

He said, “Qualifying was so tough here when it wants to be hot here, it could either be really hot or really cold but when it’s a hot day like today you’re gonna have a way different race track tonight so it was just too free there and in qualifying but I feel good about where we’re going to be tonight and excited to go to battle.”

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