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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 11: Zane Smith, driver of the #38 Long John Silver’s Ford, looks on during practice for the NASCAR Cup Series South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on October 11, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Logan Riely\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Front Row Motorsports just made a huge move. The 26-year-old Zane Smith has signed a new multi-year contract to race the No. 38 Ford Mustang Dark Horse in 2026.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s baaaack.<\/p>\n
We\u2019re excited to announce that we have agreed to a multi year extension with @ZaneSmith<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/IbUOrqkl5P<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Front Row Motorsports (@Team_FRM) October 23, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n This comes at a time when FRM and 23XI Racing<\/a> are suing NASCAR concerning the operation of its charter system. The lawsuit has created a lot of focus on smaller teams, such as FRM, who demand a fair playing field in the sport.<\/p>\n For FRM, keeping Smith isn\u2019t just about racing. It is about stability. Smith is young, fast, and focused. And his return gives the team something solid to build on while everything else in NASCAR feels uncertain.<\/p>\n It\u2019s been great to be back. Excited for the future with this 38 group! https:\/\/t.co\/vpFhReRWt0<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Zane Smith (@ZaneSmith) October 23, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n A Winning History with Front Row Motorsports<\/p>\n Zane Smith\u2019s story with FRM goes back a few years. In 2022, he won the Truck Series championship<\/a> with the team. That year, he earned four wins and finished in the top ten 19 times out of 23 races. That\u2019s no small feat.<\/p>\n Now, after racing<\/a> for Trackhouse<\/a> and Spire Motorsports, Smith is back where he first made his mark. In the 2025 Cup Series, he\u2019s sitting 27th in the standings<\/a> but has been putting together steady top-20 finishes.<\/p>\n FRM knows what it\u2019s doing here; they\u2019re not just signing a driver. They\u2019re locking in someone they believe can grow with the team. Alongside Todd Gilliland and Noah Gragson, Smith gives FRM one of the most promising young lineups in the garage.<\/p>\n In NASCAR, finding drivers who can stay consistent and loyal matters a lot. This deal shows FRM wants to keep developing homegrown stars instead of just renting talent.<\/p>\n NASCAR\u2019s Legal Drama Heats Up<\/p>\n This new contract also drops right in the middle of NASCAR\u2019s legal storm. FRM and 23XI Racing have filed an antitrust lawsuit, saying the current charter system isn\u2019t fair to smaller teams.<\/p>\n Yahoo Sports reported on October 16, 2025<\/a>, that private NASCAR messages from three years ago showed worries about rival leagues and financial threats. It\u2019s kind of like what happened with the PGA Tour and LIV Golf.<\/p>\n There\u2019s more, NASCAR President Steve O\u2019Donnell\u2019s comments about 23XI\u2019s co-owner Curtis Polk made things even messier. The trial<\/a> is set for December 1, and though NASCAR offered a settlement, the teams aren\u2019t backing down.<\/p>\n And don\u2019t forget, FRM bought a charter earlier this year from the now-closed Stewart-Haas Racing. That move added another twist to the story, putting FRM in a stronger but more complicated position heading into 2026.<\/p>\n What\u2019s Next for 2026<\/p>\n The future looks exciting and busy. NASCAR\u2019s 2026 schedule<\/a> brings fresh energy to the season. There\u2019s a new street race at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego on June 21. North Wilkesboro Speedway returns as a full points race on July 19. And Chicagoland Speedway makes a comeback on the July 4 weekend.<\/p>\n For Zane Smith and FRM, that\u2019s a perfect mix of challenges. Smith will have a chance to show off his skills on short tracks, road courses, and street circuits.<\/p>\n All signs point to this: Zane Smith\u2019s return could be the start of something big for Front Row Motorsports, not just a new contract, but a new chapter.<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tDogli Wilberforce<\/a> is a sports writer who covers NASCAR, Formula 1 and IndyCar Series for Heavy Sports. With bylines at Total Apex Sports and Last Word on Sports, Wilberforce has built a reputation for delivering timely, engaging coverage that blends sharp analysis with accessible storytelling. Wilberforce has covered everything from major football transfers to fight-night drama, bringing readers the insight and context behind the headlines. More about Dogli Wilberforce<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tMore Heavy on NASCAR\n\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\tLoading more stories\n\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t