Zane Smith displayed steady improvement during his recent run at Richmond Raceway, although he narrowly missed finishing in the top 10. Smith completed Stage One in 18th place, Stage Two in 27th, and ultimately crossed the finish line 11th. His performance showcased growth, reflecting the focus on advancing toward key season goals.
Smith expressed cautious optimism about the recent stretch, saying,
“Really happy with the trajectory we’re on right now. Had a tough stretch but I feel like we’re getting back to where we were. Bummed we couldn’t pull out the top-10 finish, but overall happy with our progress the last couple of weeks. We know what the goal is at Daytona – to race our way into the Playoffs.”
—Zane Smith, Driver
Challenges Faced by Fellow Competitors Todd Gilliland and Noah Gragson
Todd Gilliland faced difficulties at Richmond Raceway, struggling with bad luck throughout the race weekend. After starting Stage One in 30th and Stage Two in 21st, he finished the race in 25th place. Gilliland noted that although the team showed speed during practice, qualifying issues and a large accident affected his race.
“We can’t seem to shake this bad luck,”
Gilliland said.
“We showed speed in practice but struggled during qualifying and had to fight from the back at the start of the race. During the race, we made adjustments on pit road, but it wasn’t enough to climb through the field. Getting caught up in that big pileup didn’t help either. We’ll regroup and head to Daytona with our heads high.”
—Todd Gilliland, Driver
Noah Gragson also experienced a challenging weekend, finishing 27th after stages in 28th and 30th place. Gragson emphasized the importance of discipline on this demanding track and highlighted his team’s continued effort despite setbacks.
“Richmond’s always been a track where discipline matters, and while the past few weeks haven’t gone the way we want, I’m proud of the effort this team continues to put in,”
Gragson remarked.
“We’re fighting through the challenges, learning from each weekend, and staying focused on the bigger picture. Every race gives us something to build on, and I know our group won’t stop pushing until we’re back where we belong.”
—Noah Gragson, Driver
The Road Ahead Toward Daytona and Playoff Goals
Despite the difficulties faced by Smith, Gilliland, and Gragson at Richmond, the determination reflected in their performances suggests ongoing progress. The teams are preparing to build on their experiences, especially as they set their sights on Daytona, where Smith aims to secure a position in the Playoffs. The race at Richmond serves as a valuable learning opportunity, highlighting the importance of strategic adjustments and resilience for the remainder of the season.
