The 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season has been anything but smooth for Zane Smith. The 25-year-old rookie found himself in an unusual predicament—loaned out to Spire Motorsports by Trackhouse Racing, the team he initially signed with, as they didn’t have space for him in their two-car lineup. While Smith showed flashes of brilliance, including a podium finish at Nashville, the struggles of his situation ultimately left him without a confirmed drive for 2025.

Then, on Christmas Day, Smith dropped a cryptic tweet, sparking a frenzy among fans. The post hinted at a potential breakthrough, but he didn’t offer any details—leaving everyone wondering if Santa might have delivered a contract under his tree.

A rocky rookie year and a Christmas Day hint

Zane Smith’s rookie season was always going to be challenging. Loaned to Spire Motorsports because Trackhouse Racing had no room alongside Ross Chastain and Daniel Suárez, Smith faced a season of proving himself in less-than-ideal circumstances. Despite this, he turned heads with standout performances, including a second-place finish at Nashville, a fifth-place result at Watkins Glen, and six top-20 finishes in his last ten races.

But the writing was on the wall. Trackhouse announced plans to add a third car in 2025, acquiring a charter from Stewart-Haas Racing. Yet instead of Smith filling the seat, Shane van Gisbergen, the breakout star from New Zealand, was confirmed for the role.

The drama escalated on Christmas Day when Smith dropped a cryptic tweet. Though he revealed no specifics, the timing, tone, and emojis used led fans to believe a major announcement might be imminent.

Reflecting on his turbulent season, Smith said, “I went into this year knowing and having been told, ‘Hey, it’s going to be an awkward situation, and you guys are going to have to dig and fight through some struggles, but don’t worry about it. You’re going to have—regardless of how it goes—a seat over at Trackhouse next year.’”

However, the promise didn’t hold, and Smith found himself searching for new opportunities. In a statement released after his departure was confirmed, he shared: “Obviously, I am disappointed that I’ve been put in a tough spot. I am diligently exploring quality driving opportunities and hope to quickly wrap up my plans for next year. … 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.”

Heading into 2025, Zane Smith can put the Trackhouse drama behind him as fans speculate his next destination is one where he has seen tremendous success.

Fan frenzy and Zane Smith’s Front Row connection

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Fans immediately reacted to Smith’s tweet, speculating on where he might land. Responses flooded in, with one saying, “Hope Santa was good to you. A stack of papers in fine print with a big red bow under the tree would be great.” Another exclaimed, “BY GOD THAT’S FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS MUSIC!” echoing rumors that Smith could return to the team where he achieved significant success in the Truck Series. In two full seasons(2022 and 2023) with FRM in the Truck Series, Smith impressed with six wins and 29 top-10 finishes in 46 races. He topped off an impressive 22′ campaign with the Truck Series Championship after having an average finish of 7.7!

Front Row Motorsports’ general manager Jerry Freeze only fueled the speculation when he spoke about Smith’s talent earlier this year. “We’ve still got really fond feelings for Zane. He did a phenomenal job for two years with our Truck team,” Freeze said. “I think a year ago if we had a third charter, it would be a no-brainer Zane Smith would have been driving the third car.” Now that Front Row does have a third charter as they are purchasing Stewart Haas Racing’s charter following the latter’s disbanding, Smith’s return is more likely than ever before.

Freeze didn’t stop there, emphasizing the team’s interest should Smith become a free agent. “If Zane were to be a free agent for next year, I think that’s something that we would certainly be interested in for sure,” he added. “We really believe in Zane’s talent, and I think he’s going to be a star.”

Smith’s talent has also caught the attention of veteran drivers like Denny Hamlin. On his podcast, Hamlin praised Smith’s progress throughout the season, saying, “He’s already turned the corner to being twice as good as he was at the beginning of the season. So, what is he gonna do a year from now? Two years from now? I think the ceiling is pretty high on him. I think he’ll get picked up by somebody who sees it.”

With Trackhouse Racing in his rearview mirror, Smith’s options for 2025 seem to narrow toward Front Row Motorsports. The team’s strong ties to Smith and their willingness to invest in his future make them the leading candidate. However, Smith’s skill set and determination could open doors elsewhere if the timing aligns.

As the NASCAR world eagerly awaits his next move, one thing is clear: Zane Smith isn’t giving up. His perseverance and talent have positioned him as one of the most promising young drivers in the sport. Whether it’s a return to Front Row or a surprise landing spot, fans will be watching closely—hoping that the next chapter of his career is even brighter than the last.