Front Row Motorsports signs Zane Smith as third driver for 2025 despite disappointing Cup rookie season

Ex-Truck Series champion Zane Smith has landed a 2025 NASCAR Cup Series seat with Front Row Motorsports.

Front Row Motorsports signs Zane Smith as third driver for 2025 despite disappointing Cup rookie season

Zane Smith (Via IMAGO)

Zane Smith found himself in a tough position after the 2024 season, after he was overlooked for Shane van Gisbergen for the third Trackhouse seat. His disappointing rookie Cup season as a loanee from Trackhouse Racing, with Rick Ware Racing was almost the nail in the coffin before his old partner came to his rescue.

He has reunited with Front Row Motorsports, which whom he won the Truck Series championship before, and is set to race their third entry from next season. Zane Smith will race alongside Todd Gilliland, and Noah Gragson, making the team one of the youngest in the garage. The signing shows how strong the connection is between the team and the racer, despite him leaving them last season.

FRM always wanted to promote Smith to their Cup team, while he was racing for them in the Truck. But with only two cars, they couldn’t find a Cup seat for him. They offered him one more year in the Truck’s before a potential promotion, but the youngster refused to take that offer as he knew it was time for him to race at the top-level.

He was able to land a seat only after the court forced NASCAR to let FRM complete the purchase of the SHR charter. They sale was incomplete following after NASCAR refused to confirm it, following the FRM-23XI monopoly lawsuit. But the team was able to win the injunction hearing and continue with their expansion.  

FRM General Manger gives his verdict on Zane Smith signing

The General Manger of Front Row Motorsports, Jerry Freeze talked about the new signing in an interview with SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.  He confirmed that they did what they always wanted to do by giving Smith the seat, as they were wanting to make the move possible for a long-time.

Zane Smith (Credits: NASCAR)
Zane Smith (Credits: NASCAR)

Now we’re in a position this year where we were able to get that for the 2025 season and Zane was available… So, he was easily the guy we wanted all along to drive that new team for us for next year.

Jerry Freeze said.

The comment from Freeze shows, the team value Smith high despite his struggles with RWR. It would be interesting to see if the youngster can payback for the trust put in him with strong performance. It’s important for him to have strong run to secure a long-term stay at FRM.