What Comes Next for Zane Smith?

Sometimes, life as a rookie in the NASCAR Cup Series can be brutal. This season, Zane Smith has experienced just how difficult NASCAR’s top level can be. In 23 races, Smith only has one top-10 finish, a second-place result at Nashville Superspeedway. He and the No. 71 team have regularly been stuck in the back of the pack or getting collected in accidents, sometimes both in one race. Deep in the points standings in 33rd place, it looks like 2024 will be a year to forget for Smith.

The real question for Smith is how this season will impact his future in NASCAR. Almost a year ago, Smith signed a multi-year agreement with Trackhouse Racing. As reported, the plan was for Smith to drive for Spire Motorsports in 2024, then move over to Trackhouse in a Cup Series ride for 2025. To accommodate Smith, Spire purchased the charter owned by Live Fast Motorsports, allowing the new No. 71 team to run full-time with the Nos. 7 and 77. Trackhouse did not purchase a third charter at this time, but team owner Justin Marks was explicit that his organization planned to expand as well. Smith’s time at Spire was a temporary solution that would give him some Cup Series experience while allowing Trackhouse time to grow.

Now, two thirds of the way through the 2024 season, the details about how, or if, Smith will get a Trackhouse seat remain murky. The team still plans to expand and is looking to acquire a third charter, most likely from Stewart-Haas Racing. Smith is still under contract with Trackhouse and could fill that seat. However, the charter sale has not happened yet. It is possible that Marks is waiting for an official renewal of the charter agreement between NASCAR and the team owners before the sale is complete. Yet as of this writing, there is not an open seat waiting at Trackhouse for Smith. Ross Chastain will remain in the No. 1 car at least through 2025, and the team announced on Aug. 9 that Daniel Suarez will return to the No. 99 car. No additional charter means no room for Smith.

Complicating matters is that Smith will have competition from Shane van Gisbergen if another Trackhouse seat becomes available. After winning the inaugural Cup race at the Chicago street course last season, van Gisbergen has spent 2024 competing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with Kaulig Racing. He already has three wins, more than anyone else this season. Van Gisbergen is still developing his craft on ovals and would not be a weekly contender in the Cup Series if…