NASCAR: Trackhouse rule out one possible driver from 2025 lineup

As a longtime NASCAR enthusiast with a soft spot for underdog stories, I can’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for Zane Smith. His journey from the Truck Series to the Cup Series, culminating in a championship win and a development deal with Trackhouse Racing Team, was nothing short of impressive. However, it seems that fate has other plans for him.

For the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season, Zane Smith sealed a contract with Trackhouse Racing Team for further advancement.

Since Justin Marks and Pitbull’s team had no space for him in their two-car lineup, he was temporarily assigned to Spire Motorsports to drive the No. 71 Chevrolet. This car was newly added to their roster during the offseason, as they obtained a charter from Live Fast Motorsports.

At present, Ross Chastain pilots the No. 1 car, while Daniel Suarez handles the No. 99, for the Trackhouse Racing Team. Both drivers have signed contracts that extend their tenure with the team until no later than the 2025 racing season.

Regarding Smith’s racing performance, there has been a significant improvement recently, with a second-place finish at Nashville Superspeedway among seven top 20 finishes in the last eleven races. However, this success will not lead to an extension of his partnership with Trackhouse Racing Team beyond the 2024 season.

As a gamer, I’m announcing that my racing journey with Trackhouse Racing is coming to an end at the close of the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season. The 25-year-old NASCAR Truck Series champ that I am, is now free to explore new opportunities. Behind the wheel of the No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet, I’ve been making my mark in… (the rest of the sentence remains unchanged)
— Trackhouse Racing (@TeamTrackhouse) August 23, 2024

— Zane Smith (@ZaneSmith) August 23, 2024

Zane Smith out at Trackhouse

It happened concurrently with speculations that Trackhouse Racing Team might secure a third charter from Stewart-Haas Racing in the following year, and it’s true that they intend to go through with this plan.

It has been widely speculated that Shane van Gisbergen, who clinched a development contract with the team last year after achieving the feat of being the first Cup Series driver to win on debut since 1963 at the Chicago Street Course, is expected to join as the third full-time driver for the upcoming season.

Next year, AJ Van Gisbergen, currently racing full-time with Kaulig Racing in the Xfinity Series, will be moving on to compete full-time for Trackhouse Racing Team in their third charter entry within the Cup Series.

The Trackhouse Racing Team currently has Connor Zilisch signed on a development contract, however, this promising 18-year-old racer is slated to race full-time with JR Motorsports in the Xfinity Series next season.

What’s next for Zane Smith?

For Front Row Motorsports, Smith has repeatedly been suggested as a potential driver, given that he previously held a contract with them up until 2026, potentially for the upcoming season.

Front Row Motorsports is planning to grow its team to include three cars, likely by purchasing a charter from Stewart-Haas Racing directly.

Despite Todd Gilliland’s confirmation for a return and the signing of Noah Gragson from Stewart-Haas Racing, Michael McDowell, who has been with the team for seven years, is set to depart, filling Smith’s role at Spire Motorsports. This leaves the team with another open driver seat to fill.

Originating from Huntington Beach, California at age 25, this racer represented the Bob Jenkins-owned team in the Truck Series during both 2022 and 2023. They clinched the championship title in 2022, a year following two consecutive second-place finishes with GMS Racing in 2020 and 2021.

2024-08-25 15:02