Before the NASCAR regular-season finale at Daytona International Speedway, driver Zane Smith took a break with his wife, McCall Smith, and relatives at Lake Norman in North Carolina. The couple shared photos of their relaxing day on a boat and a fishing outing, capturing moments with family ahead of the high-stakes race.
This downtime followed Smith’s recent performance at the Cook Out 400 held at Richmond Raceway on August 16, where he finished 11th after starting 29th. The upcoming race at Daytona on August 23 will be pivotal for Smith as he pursues a spot in the playoffs by trying to claim one of the final two available positions.
Family Moments Captured During Lake Outing
Among the photos shared by McCall Smith was a charming scene of their nephew building a sandcastle, topped with a toy Lightning McQueen figure from the movie Cars. This snapshot highlighted a lighter, personal side to the driver’s life amid an intense racing season.
“Nephew lovin’,” —Lauren Stanfield
Zane Smith’s Chances and Records at Daytona
Smith, 26, faces a challenging road toward the playoffs, as he needs a victory at Daytona to secure one of the last two spots. Despite his efforts, Smith has yet to finish in the top 10 on the 2.5-mile superspeedway, with his best results being three 13th-place finishes at this track. This race therefore holds great significance for his season ambitions.
The Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona is scheduled for Saturday, August 23, at 7:30 p.m. ET. Last year’s surprise winner Harrison Burton, who defeated Kyle Busch in a dramatic finish, will not be defending his title as he now competes in the Xfinity Series. The iconic #21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford driven by Burton has been taken over by Josh Berry.
Smith’s Performance Within Front Row Motorsports Team
Currently, Smith leads his Front Row Motorsports teammates Todd Gilliland and Noah Gragson in points for the year. Behind the wheel of the #38 Ford, he has earned three top-10 finishes at Phoenix, Michigan, and Atlanta. His point total of 441 places him 27th in the standings as the season approaches its climax.
Challenges Faced During Richmond Race Pit Stop
Smith encountered a setback at Richmond Raceway when a pit road incident involving AJ Allmendinger’s #16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet disrupted his stop. His wife, McCall Smith, voiced frustration over the situation through social media.
“The 16 pitting behind us, hit us pulling out, knocked us off the jack, and couldn’t put the tire on.. I mean, we have been getting completely screwed from every angle lol.” —McCall Smith
On short tracks like Richmond, pit stops are critical since even small delays can affect overall position due to the fast lap times near 22 seconds. This mishap slowed Smith, costing him precious time despite his efforts to recover to an 11th-place finish.
Race Results and Teammates’ Performance at Richmond
Austin Dillon secured his first win of the 2025 NASCAR season at Richmond, followed by Alex Bowman in second place. Bowman is currently positioned above the playoff cutoff and is striving for a postseason berth. Ryan Blaney finished third, with Joey Logano and Austin Cindric rounding out the top five.
AJ Allmendinger ended the race in 22nd place. Smith’s Front Row Motorsports teammates faced challenges, with Todd Gilliland finishing 25th and Noah Gragson placing 27th.
Looking Ahead to Daytona’s Season-Defining Race
The upcoming Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona represents a critical opportunity for Zane Smith to secure a playoff position by earning a win. With two spots still open, the track’s demands and Smith’s history there add to the uncertainty and drama facing the young driver. Success at Daytona could not only change his trajectory this season but also boost his standing within Front Row Motorsports.
Fans and team members alike will be watching closely as Smith aims to leverage both his skill and the momentum from his recent performances to break through at one of NASCAR’s most competitive superspeedways.
