Zane Smith is one of eight drivers still competing for NASCAR’s inaugural In-Season Challenge, with a critical matchup set this Sunday at Sonoma Raceway. To move forward in the competition, Smith needs to finish ahead of Ty Gibbs of Joe Gibbs Racing. However, Smith’s main objective extends beyond simply outpacing Gibbs; his ultimate goal is securing a spot in the NASCAR playoffs.
Both Smith and Gibbs have advanced through the first two rounds of the 32-driver bracket, and their upcoming head-to-head will determine who moves into the fourth round, which narrows the field down to four drivers. Other driver pairings include Ty Dillon versus Alex Bowman, Erik Jones against John Hunter Nemechek, and Ryan Preece facing Tyler Reddick.
While drivers like Reddick and Bowman are already positioned for the playoffs, Smith realistically needs a race win during the remaining seven regular-season events to qualify. Therefore, capturing a victory at Sonoma is far more important to him than merely besting Gibbs in the bracket competition.
Smith believes Gibbs shares a similar mindset heading into the race weekend in northern California’s Wine Country. He elaborated on this dynamic:
“I don’t want to speak for Ty, but I feel like we’re both in the boat, as of today, that, ‘We’re going to Sonoma to try to win the race and advance to the playoffs.’” —Zane Smith, NASCAR Driver
Though Smith expects his team to update him on Gibbs’ position during the race, he intends to concentrate on his own performance. A mere better finish will not guarantee advancement; only a victory will secure his entry into the playoffs.
“I’m sure I’ll get told once or twice about where he’s running or what’s going on with him and what strategy they’re doing and many other things, but ultimately, we’re trying to advance to the playoffs.” —Zane Smith, NASCAR Driver
Unexpected Success in the In-Season Challenge Fuels Smith’s Ambitions
Seeded 14th, Zane Smith has already exceeded expectations by upsetting higher-ranked opponents in the initial rounds. He eliminated 19th-seeded Austin Cindric from Team Penske in the opening round at Atlanta, then secured a surprising win over third-seeded Chris Buescher of RFK Racing on the Chicago Street Course.
Despite being favored in neither matchup by most experts, Smith advanced thanks to strong racing and timely opportunities. Reflecting on his progress, Smith remarked:
“It’s cool to still be alive in this bracket challenge. My last week’s pairing with Chris, I knew we were gonna have our work cut out for us, just with Chris’ stats. But it’s still racing. And things happen. And we were able to advance.” —Zane Smith, NASCAR Driver
Should Smith manage to upset sixth-seeded Ty Gibbs and ultimately capture the $1 million prize for the In-Season Challenge winner, he has already considered how to allocate the winnings. As the reigning 2022 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion, he plans to share the funds with his Front Row Motorsports team and possibly invest in team amenities.
“I don’t know how much I would totally get, but hopefully, I’d be able to get a decent chunk and be able to split it across the whole (No.) 38 team. And they can go and do whatever they want with it. Then, if I’ve got any left over, I’d maybe put some money towards a pool or something.” —Zane Smith, NASCAR Driver
What This Means for Smith’s NASCAR Season and Playoff Prospects
The In-Season Challenge presents a tense, high-pressure environment where drivers like Zane Smith must balance immediate race goals with the broader objective of securing playoff eligibility. For Smith, whose path to the playoffs depends on a race win, defeating Ty Gibbs in this matchup is a helpful step but not the ultimate prize.
Winning at Sonoma Raceway offers Smith a direct ticket to postseason competition, a pivotal opportunity given his current standing. Meanwhile, the intense focus on both Smith and Gibbs highlights the competitive nature of NASCAR’s evolving race formats and the challenges drivers face in balancing strategic priorities with on-track performance.
As the playoffs approach, Smith’s performance in this weekend’s In-Season Challenge race could significantly shape his season’s trajectory, making the upcoming showdown at Sonoma Raceway one of the most critical tests in his Cup Series career.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why does Ty Gibbs drive the 54?
A. In 2022, Gibbs raced full-time in the Xfinity Series with the No. 54 Toyota, driving for his grandfather, team owner Joe Gibbs. That year, he impressed with seven victories and secured a spot in the playoffs. Gibbs also had the opportunity to compete in the Cup Series at Pocono Raceway.
Q. Has Ty Gibbs ever won?
A. Ty Gibbs, the grandson of team owner Joe Gibbs, made a big impression in NASCAR in 2021. He won his debut race at the Daytona Road Course in the Xfinity Series. In 2022, Gibbs competed full time in the Xfinity Series and clinched the championship in his rookie season.
Q. Has Ty Gibbs won?
A. Gibbs won the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2022 and the ARCA Menards Series in 2021. He is Joe Gibbs’s grandson, who was an NFL coach and now owns a NASCAR team. Gibbs also helps run Joe Gibbs Racing.
