On Sunday, Zane Smith earned his first-ever stage victory in the NASCAR Cup Series by winning Stage 1 of the 2026 Daytona 500. The Front Row Motorsports driver secured this milestone in the 40-lap opening segment of the iconic race at Daytona International Speedway during his fourth career start in the event. This important achievement highlights Smith’s rising presence in NASCAR’s top-tier competition.
Smith’s Journey Leading to the Daytona Stage Win
Since making his Daytona 500 debut in 2023, Smith had yet to claim a stage win, with his best previous runs seeing him remain inside the top 15 for much of the race but finishing outside the top 20 due to late-race incidents. The 26-year-old driver, a California native, joined Front Row Motorsports before the 2024 season after capturing the 2022 NASCAR Truck Series championship. Earlier in his career, Smith earned multiple Truck Series victories with Front Row Motorsports, including back-to-back wins at the season opener in Daytona, underscoring his speed on this superspeedway.
How Smith Positioned Himself to Win Stage 1
Starting from 30th on the grid, Smith stayed on track during a critical pit window near the end of Stage 1, opting not to pit when many leaders did. With 15 laps remaining in the stage, Smith took the lead by maintaining position with a group of seven drivers who had delayed their pit stops. He successfully held off 2022 Daytona 500 champion Austin Cindric, as well as Ryan Blaney, Carson Hocevar, and Chris Buescher, to claim the stage win under green flag conditions. This strategic move highlighted both skill and a smart team call during the stage’s closing laps.
Race Progression and Mid-Race Positioning
As the race continued into Stage 2, Smith found himself battling fiercely on lap 95 in a three-wide fight alongside Ross Chastain and Austin Cindric. Despite the intense competition, Smith moved back to sixth place midway through the second stage, showing resilience and competitiveness in one of NASCAR’s most prestigious events.
Smith Credits Team Effort Behind His Stage Win
Zane Smith’s stage victory earned him 10 valuable points contributing to his 2026 season campaign. He also spent the least amount of time on pit road among drivers with over 100 laps completed in the race, stopping only three times for about 93 seconds total. Smith openly acknowledged his team’s efforts following the Stage 1 win, expressing pride in their flawless execution.
“Nice execution right there boys,” Zane Smith said over the team radio (via Steven Taranto).
Reflections on Past Daytona 500 Experiences
Smith’s previous Daytona 500 showings were marked by both promise and frustration. In 2025, his campaign ended prematurely after an on-track accident near the end of Stage 1 caused significant car damage. Despite returning to the track post-repairs, Smith was forced to retire and finished 36th. His best overall finishes at Daytona before 2026 were both 13th-place results, including his 2024 rookie season with Spire Motorsports where he started 14th and finished 13th. This progression demonstrates steady improvement and growing comfort with Daytona’s unique challenges.
Significance of Smith’s Achievements and Outlook
Zane Smith’s first Daytona 500 stage win in 2026 is a key moment in his Cup Series career that may signal greater potential for success in marquee races. With his proven speed in the Truck Series and now a tangible breakthrough on NASCAR’s biggest stage, Front Row Motorsports has a driver capable of making deeper runs at the sport’s most historic events. Smith’s strong performance and strategic racing at Daytona could pave the way for future victories and high-profile finishes.
Stage 1 of the 2026 Daytona 500 goes to Zane Smith and the No. 38 team! pic.twitter.com/o10MHNO4bw
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 15, 2026
The cars that have spent least amount of time on pit lane so far.
Smith, Cindric, and Buescher have only pitted 3 times. pic.twitter.com/DRujU35wgx
— Bozi Tatarevic (@BoziTatarevic) February 15, 2026
Zane Smith wins Stage 1 of the Daytona 500
"Nice execution right there boys," Smith tells the 38 team pic.twitter.com/Y5Kr3CD4QT
— Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) February 15, 2026
