Rick Hendrick’s Ally’s $40 Million Splurge Makes Way for a Tricky Partnership With HMS Rivals

Published 09/19/2023, 2:31 PM EDT

There was a time in NASCAR when team owners used to sell off a part of their machinery or maybe a part of their building to regain business. However, that is not a sweet experience for any team owner out there. This is where the NASCAR charter system came in handy. Basically, charters are modes of guaranteeing security for the millions of dollars that a team owner spends for his cars to run in NASCAR. Needless to say, these charters can be leased out and revoked as and when necessary.

Since their inception in 2016, owners have held on stubbornly to their charters. But until now. Just a couple of days back, Spire Motorsports let out a shocking partnership with Trackhouse Racing that might bring about bitterness in the tie-up that Spire Motorsports has with Hendrick Motorsports. And it all stems from a $40 million transaction.

Rick Hendrick’s rival shakes hands with an HMS ally

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For those who don’t know, Hendrick Motorsports supplies engines to Spire Motorsports on the NASCAR Cup Series side of events. And that partnership seems to be quite flexible. But when Trackhouse Racing Team leased out their driver Zane Smith to Spire Motorsports for the upcoming season, Rick Hendrick might have frowned a bit. Moreover, a deal with Ross Chastain’s team, or in other words, Kyle Larson‘s rival’s team, might trigger some repercussions here and there.

Live Fast Motorsports has sold their #78 charter to Spire Motorsports for a copious amount of $40 million, which breaks all other records of charter buy and sale. Trackhouse Racing has signed Smith off to Spire Motorsports to drive the #78 charter for a Cup ride. Meanwhile, Live Fast Motorsports will continue competing in the Xfinity Series and maybe, part-time in the Cup Series.

According to NBC Sports, Smith was elated at this multi-year contract. Moved with emotions, the 24-year-old speedster said, “I almost didn’t have anything a couple of years ago. This is the place I want to be. Three hundred sixty-five days ago, I sat at a Bob Evans with a very close friend and he asked me where I wanted to race one day. I think he expected maybe some different answer. My answer was Trackhouse. Almost 365 days later, I signed a contract with them.”

“I will do whatever it takes to win on Sunday, and I have that chance; thanks to Justin Marks,” he added.

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Zane Smith shed light on the one thing that is very difficult to obtain in the NASCAR industry

The California native has amassed a pair of commendable second-place finishes in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championships in 2020 and 2021. This year, Smith is among the final eight drivers in the playoff rumble.

Amongst his 89 Truck Series starts, he has nine wins. Besides that, he has 7 Cup Series starts with a career-best P10 place finish in the Coca-Cola 600 for Front Row Motorsports.

Justin Marks definitely recognized his driving prowess. His new prodigy thinks the world of him as well. In an interview, Smith said, “I’ve been by Trackhouse once to shoot a little video for when this announcement comes out. You just see the life he (Marks) brings to the place, man. Everyone is so happy to be there. They love making these race cars fast.”

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He then went on to spill out that one rare thing in the arena of stock car racing. And that is a guarantee. A guarantee of a contract. Zane Smith said, “I’m just beyond excited to have some clarity that’s a really hard thing to have in this industry. To have it with a race team like Trackhouse is everything I ever wished for.”

However, he will still be running the #38 Ford Truck for Front Row Motorsports for the rest of the year. And he is not lagging behind. He admitted, “Now that the weight is back on the shoulder to walk off into the sunset with a championship, I have some work to do the next couple of races and a lot could happen.”

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“I really want to go back-to-back championships,” he smiled.

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Written by:

Soumyadeep is a NASCAR writer at EssentiallySports. He has done his Master's in English Literature and is a semi-professional bodybuilder. He has, in recent years, channelized his love and commitment for motorsports into a building career path.

Edited by:

Ranvijay Singh

Rick Hendrick’s Ally’s $40 Million Splurge Makes Way for a Tricky Partnership With HMS Rivals

Rick Hendrick’s rival shakes hands with an HMS ally

Zane Smith shed light on the one thing that is very difficult to obtain in the NASCAR industry

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