After spending his rookie campaign in the NASCAR Cup Series at Spire Motorsports, Zane Smith is making a return to Front Row Motorsports.
The Huntington Beach, California-native has inked a multi-year agreement with the organization that will see him pilot the No. 38 Ford Mustang Dark Horse, starting with the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium on February 2.
“I’ve always felt at home with Front Row Motorsports,” said Smith. “They believed in me when I signed with them to race in the Truck Series initially in 2022 and we shared so much success together, winning six races and a championship in two seasons. Unfortunately, everyone had to make tough decisions because there were only two Cup cars available at Front Row Motorsports going into last season when I was ready to move up full-time.”
Smith will join Todd Gilliland and Noah Gragson as the three full-time NASCAR Cup Series drivers for Front Row Motorsports in 2025.
“Now, going into next year, Front Row has really taken their Cup program to another level and I cannot think of a better line up of teammates. Todd and Noah are great friends of mine and we all have a lot to prove as young drivers in the Cup Series. It is a great time to come back and continue to build my career with an organization where I know I can win.
Ryan Bergenty, who worked with Zane Smith in his limited NASCAR Cup Series starts with the organization in 2023, will once again call the shots for the No. 38 Ford Mustang.
“Our team is excited to be working with Zane” said Bergenty “He is an outstanding talent and brings a strong competitive spirit to the group.”
The 25-year-old driver has immense experience with the inner workings of Front Row Motorsports, having won a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series title with the organization in 2022.
“I want to thank Bob (owner, Bob Jenkins), Jerry (general manager, Jerry Freeze) and Mark Rushbrook at Ford for making this happen. I know that we can win together in the Cup Series like we did in the Truck Series. It’s a great time to come back as we continue to make FRM even better.”
Last season, while driving the No. 71 for Spire Motorsports in his rookie campaign at NASCAR’s top level, Smith recorded a pair of top-fives — a second at Nashville and fifth at Watkins Glen — and five top-10s.
“We want to welcome Zane back to Front Row Motorsports,” said Bob Jenkins, owner, Front Row Motorsports. “He brought us our first championship and we believe that he can win in the NASCAR Cup Series, too. We have always believed in his talents, and we will work hard to give him what he needs to be successful. We have confidence in Zane.
“This finalizes our drivers for 2025 in the Cup Series and we can now make all our teams as strong as possible. We have come a long way, but there is a lot more ground to make up, too. We now have the drivers who can build on where we are today and take us to the next level.”
Additional announcements regarding partnerships, crew chiefs, and car numbers for the remainder of the Front Row Motorsports lineups will come at a later date.
