Zane Smith enjoys the challenge of taking on road courses like Mid-Ohio. (Photo: Dylan Nadwodny | The Podium Finish)
LEXINGTON, Ohio – Despite the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series only having two road course races, Zane Smith has taken to these tracks in grand fashion.
After some rough beginnings at the Daytona International Speedway’s road course in 2020 and 2021, respectively placing 13th and 40th at Daytona, it has been smooth sailing for the past four road course races.
Smith has finishes of eighth at Circuit of the America and sixth at Watkins Glen two years ago alongside his two wins at COTA and a runner-up result in last year’s O’Reilly Auto Parts 150 at Mid-Ohio. In short, the 24-year-old Huntington Beach, Californian has an impressive average finish of 8.875.
By far, Smith takes to these serpentine tracks like a snake ready to attack its prey. Prior to the start of the race weekend, Smith considered his approach at the 2.258-mile, 13-turn FIA Grade 2 track.
“I heard that a lot going into Mid-Ohio last year (that) it’s impossible to pass,” Smith said. “It’s narrow. It’s a motorcycle track. I heard it all. But I feel like Parker (Kligerman) and I put on a great show. We literally went side-by-side for a stage win a whole entire lap. So I think that proved you could race side by side there and pass anywhere.
“It’s just how you set the next guy up. I don’t think Turn 1 is a tricky spot because you got to get the pass done or they’re back inside for Turn 2. But Turn 2 will always be one. Obviously, it has a big braking zone getting into Turn 3 down that long backstretch. The trucks punch such a big hole in the air so you could get a run on the guy in front of you. And then that whole back section is just all momentum.”
The biggest takeaway from Smith’s comfort and confidence with road courses like Mid-Ohio is its familiarity with its approach and mindset that likens to the usual Truck Series venue.
“Yeah, it’s a short track type road course, but it’s so momentum based and I feel like that’s where I’ve been strong on the road courses, not so much really in the braking zones, heavy braking zones,” he said. “So I remember my first few laps there. I had a lot of fun, so hopefully it stays on schedule for a while.”
Perhaps this year’s race will be a great case for Mid-Ohio remaining on the Truck schedule despite inclement weather forecasted throughout the day. Drivers like Smith will have more than their fair share of work to handle in terms of driving through the field around a damp track.
One of the potential passing opportunities for Smith is Turn 1 which has that new track feeling.
Smith has observed how aggressive and tenacious this year’s field has been compared to the past. (Photo: Wayne Riegle | The Podium Finish)
“Sometimes, new pavement just adds another lane,” he said. “If you’re better than the guy in front of you, you should be able to pass them. And the road courses are fun because the dirty air isn’t such a big thing.
“You could be a lot faster than the guy in front of you on a mile and a half. And he could just run where you’re running and you can’t really pass him. So that’s what’s fun about the road courses.”
If Smith wants to contend for his third Truck Series road course win, he might need to be as expert as an advanced seamstress threading through the eye of the needle. Officially tabbed with a 10th place starting position, in reality, the defending NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion starts toward the rear of the 36-truck field.
A patient, methodical approach will be necessary especially with how this year’s Truck field may offer more unpredictability, and in some cases, a bit of soulless racing with competitors being more relentless regardless of the lap number.
In this case, a bit of a Jim Cantore swagger with storms may be the approach for Smith to emerge victorious or with a strong result at the beloved road course.
“This is my fourth year in trucks, and this is definitely the the worst I’ve ever seen it from a respect,” Smith said. “And just the nonsense of how you race people, I don’t know where some guys saw it or learned it. Most of the time, it’s not even the right thing to do. So that’s just where it’s becomes frustrating. Maybe we need a school or a teacher to teach how to sidedraft and how to do these things the proper ways if they did the proper way.
“It’s one thing, but they’re doing (it) the wrong way. It’s just, it’s frustrating. And unfortunately, I think this year has been the most unnecessarily aggressive drivers. But probably this year is the best field of quality trucks. I feel like there are so many fast trucks out there. And so when you get these inexperienced guys in really fast trucks, it’s due for disaster. So you try to stay away from the tornado.”
Editor’s Notes
Stephen Conley contributed to this article ahead of the O’Reilly Auto Parts 150 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio.
