Zane Smith finished the 2021 season in a somewhat despondent state. He had lost his ride with GMS Racing despite finishing second in points for what is now the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and seemingly had nowhere to go. He thought he had lost his career.
Late in the 2021-22 offseason, he was hired to drive the No. 38 Ford for Front Row Motorsports in the Truck Series to replace Todd Gilliland, who had been promoted to the NASCAR Cup Series. It did not take long for Smith to show his strength, winning the season opener in Daytona.
He won three more times in 2022, including the season finale Lucas Oil 150 at Phoenix Raceway to win the championship. Now, he’s back for more in the Trucks while looking towards his future.
Prior to that future, Smith signed up for some fun in Daytona, racing in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge season opener with Harrison Burton in a Ford Mustang GT4. While in Daytona, our own Phil Allaway sat down with Smith to talk about 2022, his love of road racing and his future with Front Row Motorsports.
Phil Allaway, Frontstretch: Is this going to be your only race in Pilot Challenge this year?
Zane Smith, No. 42 Ford Mustang GT4: I don’t know. I got offered to come [down] and run this race. Road course racing is where my heart’s at, so I was all about it. I made the trip out here and I’m having fun with this whole PF Racing group. Any chance you get to race some good Mustangs is always an awesome time.
Hopefully, [there will be] more starts in the future for me. I run full-time over in the [NASCAR Craftsman] Truck Series, and I have about seven races on the Cup side this year. I definitely have time to, so I would love to.
Allaway: How easy was it to adjust to this Mustang GT4?
Smith: Road course racing is where my heart’s at. Opportunities like this are low pressure and the car is a lot of fun to drive. I’ve definitely adapted well.
Allaway: Will those seven races be with Front Row Motorsports?
Smith: Yes, they will be … in a third entry.
Things have changed since this interview was conducted. Yes, Smith will be making seven starts in the NASCAR Cup Series with Front Row Motorsports in 2023. The team announced Tuesday that Smith will run the Daytona 500 in a third entry, No. 36. However, the other scheduled races will be in the No. 38 normally occupied by Gilliland.
Allaway: Is [the Daytona 500] one of your scheduled starts?
Smith: Yeah. We’ll have to make our way…
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