Zane Smith is gearing up for his 100th career start in the NASCAR Cup Series, a milestone that will take place at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Illinois. The 23‑year‑old driver will climb into the No. 15 car backed by Vermeer, hoping to finally break through for his first Cup victory.
A Milestone at Chicagoland
The race will also make Smith the 231st driver in Cup history to reach the 100‑start mark, a milestone that reflects both longevity and consistency in a sport where many careers stall before the century mark.
Smith's journey to this point began in 2022 when he stepped in for Chris Buescher, and since then he has steadily climbed the ranks, earning two top‑five finishes and six top‑ten finishes this season. He currently sits 23rd in the points standings, ahead of teammates Todd Gilliland and Noah Gragson, and has spoken about the valuable lessons he has absorbed from veterans such as Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano.
Learning from the Veterans
Mentorship has played a pivotal role in Smith's development; conversations with drivers like Hamlin and Logano have sharpened his racecraft and strategic thinking, qualities that he hopes to deploy when the green flag drops at Chicagoland.
A recent race at Nashville Superspeedway showcased his potential; Smith led 31 laps and nearly captured the win through a fuel‑mileage strategy, underscoring his ability to compete at the highest level and adding to a series of career‑high marks that have kept him in the conversation for a breakout win.
Future Ambitions
Having moved from GMS Racing to Trackhouse Racing and now Front Row Motorsports, Smith is focused on building on that momentum. He believes the new environment will give him the tools to chase race wins and prove his worth in the series, with the ultimate goal of contending for victories and, eventually, a championship.