Zane Smith will notch his 100th career NASCAR Cup Series start at Chicagoland Speedway this weekend, a milestone that the 27‑year‑old driver describes as a marker of growth rather than a finish line.
A Team on the Rise
Front Row Motorsports has been steadily closing the performance gap on the sport’s elite organizations. Recent practice sessions have shown the team posting strong lap times on intermediate tracks, the same type of circuits that dominate the Cup schedule.
Smith’s 13th‑fastest lap and 16th‑best 10‑lap average in Friday’s practice underscore the progress he has made since his 80th start. He led laps and contended for the win at Charlotte Motor Speedway earlier this season, demonstrating that the combination of experience and patience is finally paying dividends.
Veterans such as Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano have long been a source of inspiration for Smith. He admires their racing approach and hopes to emulate their ability to manage tire wear and strategic pit stops, especially on tracks like Chicagoland that reward consistency.
The 1.5‑mile Illinois venue aligns perfectly with Smith’s driving style. He believes the track’s layout will allow him to showcase the improvements his team has realized over the past few months, and he is confident that a strong finish could finally deliver the long‑awaited first Cup victory.