Zane Smith seems to have a sanguine outlook into his championship pursuit at Phoenix. (Photo: Luis Torres | The Podium Finish)
AVONDALE, Ariz. – After two heartbreaking Championship 4 appearances in as many years, Zane Smith hopes that the third time can be the charm for his No. 38 Michael Roberts Construction Ford F-150.
For the past two years, Smith represented GMS Racing’s No. 21 efforts with close but no cigar efforts. In both instances at Phoenix Raceway, Smith placed second in 2020 before placing fifth, the second highest Championship 4 finisher, last year.
While Smith made the move to Front Row Motorsports this year, he did so by being around like minds and a genuine people person in Bob Jenkins. Compared to years’ past, when he would race for a multi-truck effort, Front Row Motorsports’ Truck program is solely around Smith’s efforts.
Smith appreciated his team’s program and how it is built toward his focus on winning races and the championship.
“It’s pretty cool to see,” Smith said. “It’s super cool to see a guy like Bob Jenkins, who is so into the Truck Series and he really enjoys just watching and being a part of it and now he’s winning and chasing a championship in it.
“I really want to reward him with this, but we have a lot of work to do between now and Friday night, so we’re just ready to get going.”
In like manner, Smith has gotten his No. 38 team’s efforts going with the second fastest effort following Thursday evening’s sole practice session. As has been the case all season, the Huntington Beach, California native’s F-150 has the pace to compete.
Now, the 23-year-old would love nothing more than to deliver a title for himself and the Ford Performance banner at the 1-mile speedway.
Smith enjoyed a riveting victory at Circuit of the Americas on Mar. 26, 2022. (Photo: Sean Folsom | The Podium Finish)
“It would be very cool to take down the other three Toyotas and have the Blue Oval winning on Friday night,” he acknowledged.
Although there may be the prevailing notion that Smith may wind up a bridesmaid before this season’s finale is underway, he is not caught up on the noise and pontifications about his championship quest.
Instead, he reflects on the immediate bond and chemistry with his team along with the possibility of winning the Truck title, the last with Camping World as the entitlement sponsor.
More importantly, he takes a lot of satisfaction with how he, Chris Lawson and his crew gelled from jump street.
Surely, Smith will be proud of his debut season with Front Row Motorsports’ Truck efforts. (Photo: Kevin Ritchie | The Podium Finish)
“Just the consistency that we’ve shown and clicking off the wins that we had right away is just super special with a new group and all of us learning about each other,” he shared. “I feel like that’s probably the biggest thing.
“Obviously, we always want more wins, but to be competing for a championship in our first year together is something to be proud of.”
Undoubtedly, Smith will have plenty of support for Friday night’s Lucas Oil 150 (10 p.m. ET on FS1 and MRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). Suffice to say, Smith looks forward to his core support group, or Zaniacs, being at the track, perhaps proving as important as his fast truck,
“Yeah, I pretty much see my family a couple times a year and it’s either a holiday or the past couple of years I’ve seen them out here, so most of them come out and they get to see me compete in a really big race,” he said. “I’m not sure they totally know how big of a deal it is.
“But they’ve definitely learned over the past couple of years of what’s on the line and it’s cool to see them and regardless of the outcome we always seem to celebrate right after.”
Editor’s Notes
Luis Torres contributed to this feature story on-site from Phoenix and Avondale, Arizona.
