Zane Smith, who has started the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season strongly with two top-10 finishes, will face a significant setback on Sunday at Phoenix. The driver of the No. 38 car will begin the 312-lap race from the back of the pack and must serve a pass-through penalty after NASCAR penalized his team for unauthorized modifications.
The penalty was issued following an inspection that revealed unapproved changes to Smith’s car underbody during pre-race preparations. The 26-year-old, a former NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series champion, qualified 24th in Saturday’s session but will now drop to 37th for the race start and nearly certain to lose laps early on due to the drive-through sanction.
Details of the Punishment and Team Sanctions
NASCAR Communications confirmed the penalty stemmed from an improper adjustment to the underbody made during practice or pre-qualifying tuning. According to the official statement,
“The No. 38 in the NASCAR Cup Series was observed making an unapproved adjustment to the underbody during practice/pre-qualifying adjustments. The vehicle was reinspected prior to practice/qualifying session.”
Additionally, Smith’s car chief, Will Norris, was removed from the Phoenix event, further complicating the team’s situation. These actions highlight the severity of the infraction and its impact on Smith’s race day prospects. Starting from the rear and dealing with a pass-through penalty early will pose a major challenge on the tough Phoenix Raceway circuit.
Zane Smith’s 2026 Season Marked by Early Promise and Recent Setbacks
Despite this obstacle at Phoenix, Smith has demonstrated strong potential this season. He soared to a sixth-place finish in the prestigious Daytona 500 and ran as high as second on the final lap. Following that, Smith secured seventh at Echopark Speedway and was positioned fifth in the points standings.
However, a disappointing 33rd-place result following a fourth-place qualifying effort at Circuit of The Americas caused Smith to slip down to 14th in the championship rankings before the Phoenix race. The penalty at Phoenix threatens to further hamper his climb in the standings and forces the team to strategize aggressively to recover lost ground.
Career Highlights and Zane Smith’s Hunt for First Cup Victory
Zane Smith progressed from a decorated NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series driver to a full-time competitor in the Cup Series, entering his third complete season in 2026. After winning the 2022 Truck Series championship with Front Row Motorsports, Smith moved up to the Cup level, initially driving the No. 71 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports in 2024 before returning to Front Row Motorsports in 2025 behind the wheel of the No. 38 Ford.
Smith’s performance includes three top-five and 11 top-10 finishes throughout his Cup career, with a total of 12 top-10s achieved since 2023 when he raced part-time. His best career finish to date was second place at Nashville Superspeedway in 2024, outpaced only by Joey Logano. This season, Smith’s strongest showing remains the sixth place secured at the Daytona 500.
Before his Cup Series tenure, Smith amassed nine victories and a state championship in the Truck Series, including a stellar 2022 campaign with four wins, 14 top-five finishes, and 19 top-10s en route to the title. Despite this success, Smith is still chasing his first Cup Series win after 84 starts, underscoring the intensity behind his determination this season.
Implications and Challenges Ahead for Smith and His Team
The penalty at Phoenix represents a critical test for Zane Smith and Front Row Motorsports’ No. 38 squad. Starting from the back and serving a drive-through penalty substantially heightens the difficulty of competing for strong points and maintaining upward momentum in the standings early in 2026.
With his proven resilience and previous strong runs this season, Smith’s ability to rebound from this setback will be closely watched by fans and competitors alike. The results on Sunday could influence his confidence and positioning throughout the remainder of the Cup Series campaign as he strives to secure his maiden Cup victory.
The No. 38 in the NASCAR Cup Series was observed making an unapproved adjustment to the underbody during practice/pre-qualifying adjustments. The vehicle was reinspected prior to practice/qualifying session.
The No. 38 car chief (Will Norris) has been ejected from the Phoenix…— NASCAR Communications (@NASCAR_Comms) March 7, 2026
