Amid all the drama and wheel-to-wheel action on the track, Front Row Motorsports (FRM) has been navigating a different kind of turmoil off the asphalt. Their ongoing legal fight with NASCAR over charter status hit a setback when the court denied their request to keep the charter for the rest of 2025, a ruling that could have major implications for the team’s future.

With the legal wrangling lingering and the next hearing months away, FRM faces an uncertain road ahead. Yet, despite these challenges, there’s been a silver lining on race day that caught the attention of insiders and fans alike. There’s Zane Smith, who’s been quietly defying the odds for his team and showing remarkable grit. This story of his resilience amid his team’s adversity is one worth digging into.

Zane Smith’s impressive run at Kansas

Zane Smith’s flip on Lap 267 at Kansas Speedway during a frantic two-lap overtime may have grabbed headlines, but the bigger story is his consistently strong performance this season, including at Kansas. As inside Jordan Bianchi noted, “We talked about Zane Smith and his crash. But dude, like he turned in another really good run, and again another run from Zane Smith in a season filled with them where the results don’t indicate how well he’s running.”

Despite Front Row Motorsports (FRM) battling issues both on and off the track, Smith has been a standout, running in the top 10 frequently. This season, he has managed 4 top-1o finishes and 1 top-5 finish. Even at yesterday’s race, he managed to finish inside the top-10 in Stage 1. These performances are, undoubtedly, a testament to his skills and confidence behind the wheel.

Smith himself acknowledged how, if not for the flip, they would’ve had a good day as he appreciated his team’s support for him, “It was violent, no doubt, but we had such a fast Ford today. It’s just a bummer. Right before that caution came out, we were going to have a top 10 day…and it’s a shame that it has to come to an end out there. I want to give a shout-out back to everyone at FRM for bringing another really good car…Five more (races), hopefully we bring some more good ones.”

FRM, on the other hand, has faced challenges throughout 2025, from struggling to maintain competitive equipment to off-track problems such as their legal battle with NASCAR over charter status. “Front Row Motorsports has had their struggles this year,” Bianchi acknowledged. Nevertheless, Smith’s determination and skill have kept him on the radar, proving he’s a driver who shouldn’t be overlooked.

Moreover, Smith is increasingly becoming a hot commodity in the driver market, as “the number of potential seats that are opening up for 27 is ridiculous.” With many NASCAR teams reshuffling lineups next season, Smith’s combination of talent and experience has put him in the spotlight, making him a sought-after driver as teams look to bolster their rosters.

In a season where raw results may not always tell the full story, Zane Smith’s grit and performance shine through. Fans and insiders alike agree – watch closely, because Smith is gearing up for much bigger things amid FRM’s ongoing struggles and the sport’s ever-changing landscape.

Zane Smith’s wild wall ride

Zane Smith survived a terrifying crash during the overtime restart at the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway, sliding on his side along the backstretch wall before flipping twice and landing back on his wheels. The incident occurred when John Hunter Nemechek made contact with Smith’s No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford in the tight racing that often defines two-lap shootouts.

“Before I knew it, I had a decent restart going and I just got wrecked by [Nemechek]. He just drove through me, and then I was sliding on the wall,” Zane Smith described. The crash was violent enough to trigger a red flag as NASCAR safety crews checked the car, the wall, and the fencing to ensure everything was intact. Remarkably, Smith was able to exit the car under his own power with no injuries.

The wreck ended what had been a strong day for Smith, who was running inside the top 10 for much of the race. NASCAR officials and the FRM team inspected the damage, and the team planned to take the car back to their shop for further analysis. Zane Smith’s crash is particularly notable because it marked the first time since the 2025 Daytona 500 that a Cup car flipped end over end during a race.

Smith’s resilience in escaping injury after such a dramatic wreck follows a season where he has been steadily impressing despite Front Row’s struggles, further cementing his reputation as a driver to watch amid NASCAR’s fiercely competitive playoffs.