Zane Smith is set to reunite with Front Row Motorsports (FRM) in the NASCAR Cup Series for the 2025 season under a new multi-year agreement. The 25-year-old Huntington Beach, California native will once again pilot the No. 38 Ford Mustang Dark Horse, joining a youthful and ambitious driver lineup featuring Todd Gilliland and Noah Gragson.
A Homecoming for Zane Smith
“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 in 2022, and we shared so much success together, including six race wins and a championship in two seasons.”
Smith’s return to FRM comes after a breakout season in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, where he dominated the 2022 campaign. That year, Smith clinched the regular-season title, won four races—including the season opener at Daytona—and sealed the championship with a dramatic victory at Phoenix Raceway.
Rising Through the Ranks
In 2023, Smith further showcased his talent by defending his Daytona and Circuit of the Americas wins in the Truck Series. He also made a strong impression in the NASCAR Cup Series, where he earned a 13th-place finish in the Daytona 500 as an open entry and later achieved a top-10 finish at the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte.
Smith’s full-time Cup Series debut in 2024 saw continued growth. Driving the No. 71 car, he delivered a runner-up finish at Nashville Superspeedway and a fifth-place result at Watkins Glen International. In total, Smith has recorded five top-10 and 17 top-20 finishes across 45 Cup Series starts, demonstrating consistent performance and growth as a driver.
Building on Success
Returning to the No. 38 Ford Mustang Dark Horse, Smith will partner with crew chief Ryan Bergenty for the 2025 season. Bergenty, who guided Smith in a limited Cup schedule in 2023, expressed enthusiasm about their reunion.
“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.”
FRM’s owner, Bob Jenkins, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the organization’s belief in Smith’s potential.
“Zane brought us our first championship, and we believe he can win in the NASCAR Cup Series, too,” said Jenkins. “This finalizes our drivers for 2025, allowing us to focus on making all our teams as strong as possible. We’ve come a long way, but there is still more to achieve. With Zane, Todd, and Noah, we have a lineup capable of taking us to the next level.”
FRM’s Expanding Cup Series Program
FRM’s growth into a three-car Cup Series team reflects its ambitions to elevate its performance in NASCAR’s top division. With Smith’s return and the addition of Noah Gragson, the team has solidified a dynamic and promising driver roster for the upcoming season.
Looking Ahead to 2025
As the 2025 NASCAR season approaches, FRM will turn its attention to securing key partnerships, finalizing crew chief assignments, and aligning driver and car number pairings. The team’s goal is clear: to build on its recent successes and compete at the highest level in the Cup Series.
“It’s a great time to come back,” Smith said. “We have a strong team, great teammates, and the support needed to win. I’m excited to build my career further with FRM and Ford Performance.”
With Smith back behind the wheel of the No. 38, FRM is poised for another milestone year as it aims to compete for wins and establish itself as a top-tier NASCAR Cup Series organization.
