Matt Johnson
There’s plenty of buzz this year surrounding the NASCAR silly season and the potential movement that could happen in the Cup Series. While that’s the main focus, a young driver is reportedly on the radar for top teams as a potential target for 2028.
During the latest episode of The Teardown, motorsports reporter Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic talked about some of the buzz surrounding Zane Smith in NASCAR and potential interest next year.
“I had this conversation with someone who is very much involved in this world of where drivers go and that kind of thing…He’s someone that’s on a lot of people’s radar when his contract is up after next year.”
Jordan Bianchi on NASCAR teams eyeing Zane Smith
Read More: NASCAR Silly Season Rumors Roundup
- Zane Smith stats: 272 points, 5 top-10s, 1 top-5, 41 laps led, 20.2 average starting position 18.44 average finishing position
On the surface, Smith’s numbers this season might not stand out. He currently ranks 20th in points, 13th in top-10 finishes (five), and has led just 59 laps this season. A better way to look at his numbers, though, is by comparing him to his teammates with Front Row Motorsports.
Todd Gilliland ranks 25th in points (240) and has led just 1 lap this season with a single top-10 finish and an average finishing position of 21.4. Meanwhile, Noah Gragson sits 29th in points with a single top-10 finish and an average finishing position of 22.9.
Related: Latest on Noah Gragson’s Future with Front Row Motorsports
Keep in mind that Smith only turns 27 years old this month, and he still hasn’t raced in 90 Cup Series races in his career. He just continues to make strides as a racer, even while dealing with lesser equipment, information, and a worse supporting staff than he would have at a top team.
Smith has been even better as of late. In the last six races, he boasts the ninth-best average finishing position (16.0) with the 12th-most laps led (49), and he’s tied for the fourth-most top-10 finishes (three) in that span.
Front Row Motorsports may just have to enjoy having Smith while they still can, because his continued improvements behind the wheel and the on-track results will land him with a top team by 2028 if he keeps this up.
