Prior to the NASCAR regular-season finale at Daytona International Speedway, driver Zane Smith and his wife, McCall Smith, enjoyed a peaceful day at Lake Norman in North Carolina with relatives on Monday, August 18. The couple shared moments from their outing, including a boat ride and a catch during fishing, offering a rare break from the intense race preparation leading up to the critical event.
This downtime came shortly after Smith’s recent performance at the Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway last Saturday, August 16, where he started 29th and finished 11th. His focus now turns to the high-stakes Daytona race on Saturday, August 23, with hopes of securing a playoff position that still depends on a victory at the 2.5-mile superspeedway.
Family Moments Caught Amid Race Pressure
During their lake outing, McCall Smith reposted a photo showing their nephew happily building a sandcastle, which was topped with a toy Lightning McQueen from the movie Cars. The lighthearted scene contrasted with the pressure Zane faces on the track and highlighted their support system off it.
“Nephew lovin’,” —Lauren Stanfield
Playoff Hopes Rest on Daytona Performance
Zane Smith, 26, still has a chance to make the NASCAR playoffs if he wins at Daytona, where two playoff spots remain open. However, the challenge is significant as Smith has not yet recorded a top-10 finish at this particular superspeedway. His best showings to date have been a trio of 13th-place finishes in previous Daytona races.
The Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on August 23. Last year’s race saw an unexpected winner in Harrison Burton, who edged out Kyle Busch on the final lap. Burton has since moved to the Xfinity Series, with Josh Berry now driving the #21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford.
Currently, Smith leads his Front Row Motorsports teammates Todd Gilliland and Noah Gragson in overall points this season. Behind the wheel of the #38 Ford, he has achieved three top-10 finishes at Phoenix, Michigan, and Atlanta, placing him 27th in the standings with 441 points.
McCall Smith Reacts to Pit Road Collision at Richmond
At Richmond Raceway, Zane Smith lost valuable positions on pit road after a collision with AJ Allmendinger’s #16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet caused an error. This incident led McCall Smith to express frustration on social media about their team’s ongoing misfortunes.
“The 16 pitting behind us, hit us pulling out, knocked us off the jack, and couldn’t put the tire on.. I mean, we have been getting completely screwed from every angle lol.” —McCall Smith
Since Richmond is a short track where green-flag pit stops almost always slow down a driver, a flawless pit sequence is essential. Unfortunately, the contact with Allmendinger disrupted Smith’s stop, costing him crucial seconds. Despite his efforts to recover, the incident contributed to his 11th-place finish at the Cook Out 400.
Richmond Race Results and Team Standings
Austin Dillon claimed his first NASCAR win of the 2025 season at Richmond, followed by Alex Bowman in second place, who remains above the playoff cutoff line. Ryan Blaney finished third, with Joey Logano and Austin Cindric rounding out the top five.
AJ Allmendinger ended the race in 22nd position. For Front Row Motorsports, Zane Smith’s teammates Todd Gilliland and Noah Gragson finished 25th and 27th, respectively.
Looking Ahead to Daytona’s Impact on Smith’s Season
With the season finale at Daytona approaching, Zane Smith’s playoff hopes hinge on a standout performance at a track that has challenged him in the past. His ability to navigate the superspeedway successfully and claim a win could secure his spot in the playoffs, dramatically altering his trajectory this season.
This moment represents both a test and an opportunity for Smith and Front Row Motorsports as they prepare to face one of NASCAR’s most unpredictable races under tremendous pressure.