Zane Smith’s No. 38 pit crew delivered a stunning 12.612‑second stop during qualifying, capturing the $100,000 bonus and earning the right to choose the pit stall for the upcoming All‑Star Race.
A Record‑Breaking Pit Stop
The performance marked the third victory for Front Row Motorsports in the four All‑Star Pit Crew Challenges held since the event’s 2023 revival, underscoring the team’s rapid rise in a competition that pits the sport’s elite crews against one another.
The fast four‑tire, fuel‑included maneuver left 35 other entries behind, a testament to the crew’s precision and the meticulous preparation that has become a hallmark of the organization’s pit program.
From College Football to NASCAR
Jackman Nate McBride, the crew’s leader, transitioned from a celebrated college football career at the University of Georgia — where he helped the Bulldogs secure an SEC Championship and played in a National Championship game — to the fast‑paced world of NASCAR in 2021.
A year later he celebrated a debut victory in the Coca‑Cola 600, and his recent triumph in the pit‑crew showdown felt, to him, more intense than any previous win because every millisecond was the result of a tightly knit unit working as one.
The ‘One Team’ Spirit
McBride described the moment as surreal, noting that the focused effort of his teammates felt like a collective heartbeat. The gesture was amplified by congratulations from rival Joe Gibbs Racing crews, reinforcing the camaraderie that defines the sport’s community.
Despite qualifying 25th due to a pit‑road speeding penalty, Smith’s crew still outpaced the field, a reminder that even setbacks can be overcome when preparation meets execution at the highest level.