Zane Smith and his No. 38 team face a critical challenge this weekend at the Daytona International Speedway as the NASCAR Cup Series holds its regular season finale. With the <a href="https://www.big14news.com/nascar/”>NASCAR Cup Playoffs beginning next week at Darlington Raceway, a win at Daytona would guarantee Smith’s place in the postseason, making this race pivotal for his championship hopes.
Smith has demonstrated strong performances on superspeedways throughout the season, notably winning his first Cup Series pole position at Talladega in the spring, leading five laps and finishing 19th. His recent races at Atlanta confirm his capability on drafting tracks, finishing 11th in the first Atlanta race and leading five laps to place seventh in the second. At Daytona, Smith’s consistency is clear, with three 13th-place finishes over four starts.
Honoring NASCAR Tradition with the Aaron’s Lucky Dog Scheme
For the 160-lap race, Smith and Aaron’s Rent-to-Own will run the popular Aaron’s Lucky Dog paint scheme, a design with a strong heritage in the NASCAR Cup Series. This scheme has been worn by drivers like David Reutimann, Brian Vickers, Michael McDowell, and Michael Waltrip, connecting Smith’s modern campaign with NASCAR’s storied past.
Smith expressed confidence ahead of the race, stating,
“I’m always excited heading into the superspeedways. We’ve shown a lot a speed this year on drafting-style tracks, so I’m confident this weekend won’t be any different. We know what’s at stake, but we won’t let the pressure bother us, we’re going to show up and do what we do best and be in position at the end.”
—Zane Smith, Driver
The Road Ahead for Smith and the No. 38 Team
The outcome at Daytona is critical for Smith’s NASCAR Cup Series ambitions, as a victory would guarantee entry into the playoffs starting at Darlington Raceway. With a proven superspeedway speed and a respectful nod to NASCAR tradition through the Aaron’s Lucky Dog scheme, Smith and his team approach the weekend with determination and optimism.
