Zane Michael Smith[1] (born June 9, 1999) is an American professionalstock car racing driver. He competes full-time in theNASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 38Ford Mustang Dark Horse forFront Row Motorsports. He is the2022 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion, a title he earned while driving for FRM.
Smith previously competed full-time in the Craftsman Truck Series forGMS Racing, finishing as the championship runner-up in both 2020 and 2021. Earlier in his career, he also finished second in the2018 ARCA Racing Series standings while driving forMDM Motorsports. Additionally, he has made part-time appearances in theNASCAR Xfinity Series withJR Motorsports and inStadium Super Trucks.
Starting withBMX racing, Smith transitioned togo-karting in 2004, where he dominated by winning championships for five consecutive years. He then advanced tolegends car racing before moving up tosuper late models in 2015.[2] That year, he achieved victories in theWorld Series of Asphalt, thePro All Stars Series, and theCARS Tour, in addition to securing a runner-up finish in the prestigiousSnowball Derby.[3]
Building on his success in late model racing, Smith tested anARCA Menards Series car withMason Mitchell Motorsports atDaytona International Speedway in January 2016.[4] However, aWakeskating injury sidelined him early that year. He eventually returned to compete in two ARCA races withVenturini Motorsports.[2] By late summer 2016, Smith parted ways with his SLM team, aiming to gain more ARCA experience in 2017.[5]
In late 2016, Smith signed withVenturini Motorsports to drive all but two races of the2017 ARCA Racing Series schedule in the No. 55 entry.Noah Gragson filled the other two races, as Smith was ineligible to compete due to age restrictions.[6] Competing for Rookie of the Year honors, Smith joined the same crew that had guidedDalton Sargeant to the award the previous year.[7] Smith also competed in a partialK&N Pro Series East schedule, debuting with Calabrese Motorsports early in 2017.[8] Additionally, he stepped in forRyan Partridge at theK&N Pro Series West season opener after Partridge was unable to obtain a license in time.[9] In April 2017, Smith was named to the NASCAR Next class, a program highlighting up-and-coming talent.[10] In August, Smith and Venturini parted ways after a strong run that included eight top-10 finishes in 11 races.[11] Later in the season, Smith joinedMDM Motorsports for three races, achieving two poles and two runner-up finishes.[12][13]
On November 6, 2017, Smith re-signed withMDM Motorsports for the 2018 season to compete full-time in their No. 41 Toyota.[13] He claimed his first victory in the second race of the season, outlasting teammateSheldon Creed and overcoming three previous runner-up finishes.[14] Two races later, Smith secured a historic win atTalladega Superspeedway in ARCA’s closest-ever finish. The margin of victory was so tight—recorded as 0.00 seconds—that officials relied on photo evidence to determine the winner.[15] In the next event, Smith made a bold three-wide pass involvingChandler Smith (no relation) and lapped carMike Basham to take the lead.[16] He later overtook teammateChase Purdy with fewer than ten laps remaining to secure another victory,[17] with assistance from2017 ARCA championAustin Theriault, who served as his spotter atToledo Speedway.[18] In May 2018, Smith was also named to the NASCAR Next program for the second consecutive year.[19] Later in the season atSalem Speedway, Smith clashed repeatedly withMichael Self, causing his radiator to fail mid-race. After returning to the track, Smith deliberately slowed to wait for Self, then rammed him into the outside wall. In a subsequentMAVTV interview, Smith openly bragged about the incident.[20] As a result, ARCA fined himUS$5,000 and docked 100 points, though many within the industry criticized the penalty as too lenient.NASCAR Xfinity Series driverScott Heckert expressed concerns about the safety implications of intentional wrecks.[21] Despite the penalty, Smith finished second in the season standings. Reflecting on the season, he revealed that his full-time campaign was not initially planned but became possible as his performance helped secure sponsorships for the remainder of the schedule.[22]
In June 2018, Smith made hisNASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut withDGR-Crosley, driving the No. 54 truck atGateway Motorsports Park. The deal came together just days before the race, requiring Smith to quickly secure his licenses.[23] Despite the last-minute preparations, he qualified 10th and finished an impressive 5th.
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On December 18, 2018,JR Motorsports announced that Smith would drive the No. 9 entry in theXfinity Series for eight races during the 2019 season, primarily at short tracks.[24] This opportunity arose after a full-time Truck Series deal withGMS Racing fell through.[22] However, on January 25, 2019, it was confirmed that Smith would instead switch to the No. 8 car, asNoah Gragson took over the No. 9 entry.[25]
Smith joinedGMS Racing for the full2020 NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series season.[26] On August 7, he earned his first career Truck Series victory at theHenry Ford Health System 200, overtakingChristian Eckes on the final lap in overtime.[27] Two weeks later, he secured his second win at theKDI Office Technology 200, holding offMatt Crafton andBrett Moffitt on the final restart.[28] Smith advanced to the championship round as the only non-playoff race winner among the final four drivers. He finished runner-up to GMS teammateSheldon Creed in both the season finale at the Lucas Oil 150 and the overall standings.[29] In recognition of his impressive season, Smith receivedNASCAR Rookie of the Year honors and was voted theTruck Series' Most Popular Driver.[30]
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Smith returned to GMS Racing for the2021 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season. On October 30, he secured his third career Truck Series victory at theUnited Rentals 200 afterStewart Friesen spunTodd Gilliland in front of the field. The win clinched Smith's spot in the Championship 4 race at Phoenix. In the season finale, theLucas Oil 150, Smith was passed with eight laps remaining and finished fifth in the race, ultimately placing second in the championship standings behindBen Rhodes.
In May 2021, Smith made a one-off return to theNASCAR Xfinity Series as a substitute driver forJustin Haley, who was sidelined due toCOVID-19 protocols. Smith drove the No. 11 car forKaulig Racing at theDrydene 200.
On November 30, 2021, Smith was announced as the driver of the No. 38 truck forFront Row Motorsports in the2022 NASCAR Truck Series season.[31] Smith began the season with a victory atDaytona, securing his fourth career Truck Series win after holding offBen Rhodes in overtime.[32] AtLas Vegas, he initially finished second, but a post-race inspection revealed a lug nut violation, resulting in his disqualification.[33] Smith rebounded with a fifth-place finish atAtlanta and earned his second win of the season atCircuit of the Americas, where he dominated by winning both stages. The victory came afterAlex Bowman collided with front runnersStewart Friesen andKyle Busch, allowing Smith to capitalize.[34] After theCRC Brakleen 150 atPocono Raceway, Smith clinched the regular-season championship. He capped off an impressive season by winning the championship race atPhoenix on November 4, securing his first NASCAR Truck Series title and deliveringFront Row Motorsports its first-ever NASCAR championship.[35]
On June 2, 2022,RFK Racing driverChris Buescher tested positive for COVID-19, forcing him to miss theCup Series race atGateway.[36] Smith was announced as his replacement, marking Smith's debut in the Cup Series. After starting 32nd, Smith finished 17th on the lead lap.
Smith began the2023 season by winning atDaytona for the second consecutive year.[37] He also secured a victory at theCircuit of the Americas and earned eight top-five finishes during the regular season. In the playoffs, Smith advanced to the Round of 8 but was eliminated after being disqualified atHomestead when post-race inspection revealed unapproved windshield supports.[38]
In June 2023, Smith competed in theXfinity Series atNashville, driving the No. 28 car forRSS Racing as a replacement forKyle Sieg, who drove the No. 29. Smith finished 7th in the race.
In theCup Series, Smith drove theFront Row Motorsports No. 36 to a 13th-place finish at the2023 Daytona 500 and later piloted theRick Ware Racing No. 51 atMartinsville.[39]
On September 16, 2023, Smith signed a multi-year deal withTrackhouse Racing. As part of the agreement, Smith would driveSpire Motorsports' third team in 2024, with plans to join Trackhouse full-time in a third car in 2025.[40] Smith’s2024 season started with 18 consecutive finishes outside the top ten, averaging a disappointing 28.1. His best finish during that stretch was 13th at theDaytona 500. AtNashville, Smith was in contention for his first career victory in the closing laps but ultimately finished second toJoey Logano, marking his career-best Cup Series finish and his first-ever top-five. Despite showing some promise, Smith announced on August 23 that he would part ways with Trackhouse and Spire.[41] This decision was reportedly due to his inconsistent performance and Trackhouse’s interest in promotingShane van Gisbergen to the Cup Series. Smith concluded the 2024 season with two top-five finishes and four top-tens.
On January 2, 2025,Front Row Motorsports announced that Smith will return to the team as the driver of the No. 38 Ford Dark Horse Mustang for2025.[42] Smith began the season with a 36th-place DNF at theDaytona 500. AtTalladega, Smith would earn his first career Cup Series pole.
On August 8, 2020, Smith made hisStadium Super Trucks debut atRoad America, just one day after winning the NASCAR Truck Series race at Michigan. The event also featured two-time SST championCreed.[43][44] Smith finished fifth in the first race and sixth in the second.[45]
Smith and his teammate,Harrison Burton, secured victory at the2023 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge event held atDaytona International Speedway.
Smith was born in Huntington Beach, California.[46] He is the son of Mike Smith, who runs the professional off-road racing team, Herbst-Smith Fabrication. Trucks built by Hersbt-Smith have won theBaja 1000 over 10 times.[47] Smith is married to McCall Gaulding, the younger sister of fellow race car driverGray Gaulding.
(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time.Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)
| NASCAR Cup Series results | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Team | No. | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | NCSC | Pts | Ref | ||
| 2022 | RFK Racing | 17 | Ford | DAY | CAL | LVS | PHO | ATL | COA | RCH | MAR | BRD | TAL | DOV | DAR | KAN | CLT | GTW 17 | SON | NSH | ROA | ATL | NHA | POC | IRC | MCH | RCH | GLN | DAY | DAR | KAN | BRI | TEX | TAL | ROV | LVS | HOM | MAR | PHO | 49th | 01 | [48] | ||
| 2023 | Front Row Motorsports | 36 | Ford | DAY 13 | CAL | LVS | 46th | 01 | [49] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 38 | PHO 31 | ATL | COA | RCH | BRD | TAL 37 | DOV | KAN | DAR | CLT 10 | GTW | SON 34 | NSH | CSC | ATL | NHA | POC | RCH | MCH | IRC | GLN | DAY | DAR | KAN | BRI | TEX 24 | TAL | ROV 30 | LVS | HOM | MAR | PHO | ||||||||||||
| Rick Ware Racing | 51 | Ford | MAR 34 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | Spire Motorsports | 71 | Chevy | DAY 13 | ATL 35 | LVS 36 | PHO 29 | BRI 36 | COA 19 | RCH 35 | MAR 31 | TEX 26 | TAL 29 | DOV 24 | KAN 29 | DAR 35 | CLT 33 | GTW 19 | SON 16 | IOW 31 | NHA 30 | NSH 2 | CSC 17 | POC 29 | IND 17 | RCH 23 | MCH 7 | DAY 13 | DAR 23 | ATL 21 | GLN 5 | BRI 16 | KAN 10 | TAL 21 | ROV 19 | LVS 16 | HOM 30 | MAR 21 | PHO 39 | 30th | 505 | [50] | ||
| 2025 | Front Row Motorsports | 38 | Ford | DAY 36 | ATL 11 | COA 29 | PHO 9 | LVS 23 | HOM 11 | MAR 16 | DAR 12 | BRI 27 | TAL 19 | TEX 17 | KAN 16 | CLT 39 | NSH 13 | MCH 7 | MXC 35 | POC 25 | ATL 7 | CSC | SON | DOV | IND | IOW | GLN | RCH | DAY | DAR | GTW | BRI | NHA | KAN | ROV | LVS | TAL | MAR | PHO | -* | -* | [51] | ||
| Year | Team | Manufacturer | Start | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Front Row Motorsports | Ford | 17 | 13 |
| 2024 | Spire Motorsports | Chevrolet | 14 | 13 |
| 2025 | Front Row Motorsports | Ford | 37 | 36 |
| NASCAR Xfinity Series results | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Team | No. | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | NXSC | Pts | Ref |
| 2019 | JR Motorsports | 8 | Chevy | DAY | ATL | LVS 24 | PHO | CAL | TEX | BRI 11 | RCH 6 | TAL | DOV 9 | CLT | POC | MCH | IOW 5 | CHI 17 | DAY | KEN | NHA | IOW 9 | GLN | MOH | BRI | ROA | DAR | IND | LVS | RCH 8 | ROV | DOV 9 | KAN | TEX | PHO 5 | HOM | 25th | 322 | [52] |
| 2021 | Kaulig Racing | 11 | Chevy | DAY | DRC | HOM | LVS | PHO | ATL | MAR | TAL | DAR | DOV 36 | COA | CLT | MOH | TEX | NSH | POC | ROA | ATL | NHA | GLN | IRC | MCH | DAY | DAR | RCH | BRI | LVS | TAL | ROV | TEX | KAN | MAR | PHO | 103rd | 01 | [53] |
| 2023 | RSS Racing | 28 | Ford | DAY | CAL | LVS | PHO | ATL | COA | RCH | MAR | TAL | DOV | DAR | CLT | PIR | SON | NSH 7 | CSC | ATL | NHA | POC | ROA | MCH | IRC | GLN | DAY | DAR | KAN | BRI | TEX | ROV | LVS | HOM | MAR | PHO | 84th | 01 | [54] |
| NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series results | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Team | No. | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | NCTC | Pts | Ref | |||||||||||||||
| 2018 | DGR-Crosley | 54 | Toyota | DAY | ATL | LVS | MAR | DOV | KAN | CLT | TEX | IOW | GTW 5 | CHI | KEN | ELD | POC | MCH | BRI | MSP | LVS | TAL | MAR | TEX | PHO | HOM | 59th | 32 | [55] | |||||||||||||||
| 2020 | GMS Racing | 21 | Chevy | DAY 11 | LVS 6 | CLT 3 | ATL 5 | HOM 37 | POC 14 | KEN 7 | TEX 19 | KAN 6 | KAN 9* | MCH 1 | DRC 13 | DOV 1* | GTW 7 | DAR 16 | RCH 11 | BRI 16 | LVS 7 | TAL 33 | KAN 11 | TEX 3 | MAR 3 | PHO 2 | 2nd | 4035 | [56] | |||||||||||||||
| 2021 | DAY 16 | DRC 40 | LVS 6 | ATL 6 | BRD 7 | RCH 14 | KAN 7 | DAR 16 | COA 8 | CLT 10 | TEX 6 | NSH 4 | POC 8 | KNX 14 | GLN 6 | GTW 35 | DAR 9 | BRI 8 | LVS 29 | TAL 33 | MAR 1 | PHO 5 | 2nd | 4032 | [57] | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | Front Row Motorsports | 38 | Ford | DAY 1 | LVS 36 | ATL 5 | COA 1 | MAR 9 | BRD 10 | DAR 8 | KAN 1* | TEX 32 | CLT 5 | GTW 9 | SON 2 | KNX 3 | NSH 2 | MOH 2 | POC 13 | IRP 3 | RCH 9 | KAN 4 | BRI 2 | TAL 17 | HOM 2 | PHO 1* | 1st | 4040 | [58] | |||||||||||||||
| 2023 | DAY 1 | LVS 2 | ATL 20 | COA 1* | TEX 14 | BRD 21 | MAR 3 | KAN 3 | DAR 22 | NWS 32 | CLT 23 | GTW 20 | NSH 2 | MOH 2 | POC 34 | RCH 3 | IRP 5 | MLW 12 | KAN 5 | BRI 24 | TAL 32 | HOM 34 | PHO 25 | 7th | 2194 | [59] | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | McAnally-Hilgemann Racing | 91 | Chevy | DAY | ATL | LVS 8 | BRI 3 | COA | MAR | TEX 5 | KAN 2 | DAR | NWS | CLT | GTW | NSH | POC 20 | IRP | RCH | MLW | BRI | KAN | TAL | HOM | MAR | PHO | 81st | 01 | [60] | |||||||||||||||
* Season still in progress
1 Ineligible for series points
(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time.Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)
| ARCA Menards Series results | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Team | No. | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | AMSC | Pts | Ref |
| 2016 | Venturini Motorsports | 66 | Toyota | DAY | NSH | SLM | TAL | TOL | NJE | POC | MCH | MAD | WIN | IOW | IRP | POC | BLN | ISF | DSF | SLM 9 | CHI | 75th | 295 | [61] | ||
| 15 | KEN 24 | KAN | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | 20 | DAY Wth | TAL Wth | 9th | 3305 | [62] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 55 | NSH 10 | SLM 6 | TOL 4 | ELK 6 | POC 4 | MCH 23 | MAD 2 | IOW 13 | IRP 7 | POC 3 | WIN 15 | ISF | ROA | DSF | ||||||||||||
| MDM Motorsports | 28 | Toyota | SLM 2 | CHI | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 8 | KEN 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 41 | KAN 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | DAY 26 | NSH 1* | SLM 2 | TAL 1 | TOL 1 | CLT 5 | POC 3 | MCH 11 | MAD 2 | GTW 16 | CHI 4 | IOW 4 | ELK 12 | POC 1* | ISF 17 | BLN 2 | DSF 5 | SLM 18 | IRP 6 | KAN 17 | 2nd | 4680 | [63] | |||
| 2020 | Steve McGowan Motorsports | 17W | Chevy | DAY | PHO 5 | TAL | POC | IRP | KEN | IOW | KAN | TOL | TOL | MCH | DAY | GTW | I44 | TOL | BRI | WIN | MEM | ISF | KAN | 51st | 40 | [64] |
| 2021 | DAY | PHO 28 | TAL | KAN | TOL | CLT | MOH | POC | ELK | BLN | IOW | WIN | GLN | MCH | ISF | MLW | DSF | BRI | SLM | KAN | 116th | 16 | [65] | |||
| NASCAR K&N Pro Series East results | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Team | No. | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | NKNPSEC | Pts | Ref |
| 2017 | Calabrese Motorsports | 43 | Toyota | NSM 2 | GRE | BRI 9 | SBO | SBO | MEM | BLN | TMP | NHA | IOW | GLN | LGY | NJE | DOV | 25th | 77 | [66] |
| ARCA Menards Series West results | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Team | No. | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | AMSWC | Pts | Ref |
| 2017 | Sunrise Ford Racing | 9 | Ford | TUS 4 | KCR | IRW | IRW | SPO | OSS | CNS | SON | IOW | EVG | DCS | MER | AAS | KCR | 40th | 40 | [67] |
| 2019 | Steve McGowan Motorsports | 17 | Chevy | LVS | IRW | TUS | TUS | CNS | SON | DCS | IOW | EVG | GTW | MER | AAS | KCR | PHO 21 | 62nd | 23 | [68] |
| 2020 | 17W | LVS | MMP | MMP | IRW | EVG | DCS | CNS | LVS | AAS | KCR | PHO 26 | 34th | 68 | [69] | |||||
| 2021 | PHO 28 | SON 21 | IRW | CNS | IRW | PIR | LVS | AAS | PHO | 45th | 39 | [70] | ||||||||
(key) (Bold – Pole position.Italics – Fastest qualifier. * – Most laps led.)
| Stadium Super Trucks results | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | SSTC | Pts | Ref | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | ADE | ADE | ADE | ROA 5 | ROA 6 | N/A2 | – | [71] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2 Standings were not recorded by the series for the 2020 season
