Zane Smith reflected on his experience during the chaotic Quaker State 400 at Atlanta, sharing insights into where he lost momentum and fell from a top-three position. The Front Row Motorsports driver navigated an 18-car wreck mid-race to earn his third top-10 finish of the season, ultimately crossing the line in seventh place.

Smith was the last of the Ford drivers to secure a spot in the top eight during qualifying, setting the stage for a highly competitive race. Throughout the event, which featured 46 lead changes across 13 drivers, Smith briefly led for a total of five laps in the final stage, showcasing his competitiveness among the field.

Race Dynamics and Strategic Pit Stops Impacted Smith’s Position

In the closing laps, Smith engaged in intense battles for position, exchanging places repeatedly with Alex Bowman in the No. 48 car and Brad Keselowski in the No. 6. While Smith made only six pit stops during the race, Bowman and Keselowski each stopped seven times, which affected track positioning and momentum.

This pit strategy left Smith vulnerable during the final stretches, contributing to his slip from the top spots. Despite his efforts, he could not maintain the pace of those who had fresh tires, which resulted in him dropping out of contention before regaining enough ground to finish seventh.

Driver Reflects on Losing Momentum in Final Laps

In a post-race interview shared by NASCAR analyst Bob Pockrass, Smith explained the turning point that saw his performance decline in the final laps:

“That top three I felt comfortable and I felt I had a good idea of how the race is gonna play out. And then as soon as I don’t know who got a huge run, I think maybe the 48, two guys cleared me, and that was where my I went downhill from there,” he said.

“I just got lost my momentum, and then before I know it, I’m tenth and I gotta build my momentum back up and a run out lap. Everything just happened so fast here. Yeah, I mean, all in all, though, really proud of the whole effort,” he added.

Smith earned 33 points from the race, though his position in the driver standings remained 25th. He did secure a victory over Austin Cindric in the In-Season Challenge thanks to Cindric’s retirement in the mid-race wreck caused by Denny Hamlin.

Looking Ahead: Smith Prepares for the Chicago Street Course Showdown

Following his performance in Atlanta, Smith’s focus shifts to the Chicago Street Course, where he will compete against Chris Buescher in the second round of the Challenge. This upcoming event presents another opportunity for Smith to build on his momentum and rise through the standings.

Smith Comments on Industry Reactions to Recent Races

Zane Smith has recently addressed what he describes as overreactions to certain races, notably the one held in Mexico City at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. While some competitors raised safety and logistical concerns, Smith likened the response to the unexpected reactions seen after the Chicago race.

“It reminds me somewhat of Chicago, too. Like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is gonna be a trainwreck.’ And then we go to Chicago and they’re like ‘Oh my gosh, this is the most fun weekend ever!’” he said in an interview with NASCAR reporter Steven Taranto.

Smith, in his second year competing in the Cup Series, drove for Spire Motorsports earlier in 2024 and made his debut at Chicago, where he led three laps before finishing 17th. His reflections suggest a hopefulness about adapting to new tracks and overcoming challenges as his career progresses.