Whereas Smith, 24, received off to a robust begin to the 2023 season with a pair of wins within the first 4 races, he and his No. 38 Entrance Row Motorsports Ford workforce have skilled their share of points since.
In a single four-race span, the native of Huntington Seashore, Calif., completed twentieth or worse and he crashed out of two races this season.
Smith is on somewhat extra of an upswing because the playoffs get beneath means with Friday evening’s race at Indianapolis Raceway Park. He has three top-three finishes in his final 4 races, together with a 3rd most not too long ago at Richmond, Va.
“To be trustworthy, final yr we hardly had any adversity and this yr I really feel like our race workforce is in an awesome place, it’s simply had plenty of ups and downs,” Smith mentioned.
“We simply have to do the small issues somewhat bit higher and give attention to our finish end result somewhat bit extra, as an alternative of so centered on these stage wins. Sure, they have been extraordinarily essential, however I’m joyful the place our race workforce is.
“Sadly, I’ve had some torn up vehicles all through the method, which sucks for everybody at FRM, however we win collectively and we lose collectively.”
Zane Smith, Entrance Row Motorsports, Tipico Sportsbook Ford F-150
Picture by: David Rosenblum / NKP / Motorsport Photographs
Smith nonetheless completed the common season third within the collection standings and is seeded second coming into the playoffs. Corey Heim gained the common season title and holds a 30-22 benefit over Smith in playoff factors.
One brilliant spot for Smith heading into the playoff opener at IRP is his workforce’s energy this season on brief tracks.
Smith gained the pole on the grime race Bristol and Martinsville and completed third at Martinsville and Richmond. Richmond can be a observe on which Smith had struggled previously.
Smith has one earlier begin at IRP, ending third.
“I feel everybody on our workforce likes brief observe racing. It’s plenty of enjoyable for our collection and Zane has confirmed himself on these tracks,” mentioned Smith’s crew chief, Chris Lawson. “It’s observe for us to begin this playoff run.”
Smith agrees.
“The adversity we’ve confronted has solely made us higher as we start this playoff run. I feel we’re nonetheless bringing quick vehicles and executing nicely,” he mentioned. “We simply have to preserve doing that.”
