Zane Smith battles back for Top-10 in Coca-Cola 600

Zane Smith put together his best run of the season Sunday, finishing 10th in the Coca Cola 600. 

It’s was his first Top-10 of the season on a non-superspeedway for the No. 38 car. His best non drafting result of 2026, prior to Sunday, was 14th at Las Vegas. 

It’s Front Row Motorsports’ second best run on a non-super speedway this season, second only to Todd Gilliland’s sixth place run at Bristol.

Smith led 31 laps, fifth-most behind Tyler Reddick at 119, Denny Hamlin with 75, Christopher Bell with 44 and Chase Briscoe with 34. Surprisingly enough, Smith didn’t obtain any stage points, but was still able to advance up two positions in the points standings to 21st. 

A birth in the Chase is still not out of the question for the No. 38 team. They are currently -59 to the playoff cutline with several opportunities for good runs and potential wins looming. 

Their night was disrupted when Smith was busted for speeding on pit road on lap 92 under caution.

Smith was especially displeased with the penalty given that he was clocked in at only 50.01 MPH, only 0.01 MPH over the 5 MPH cushion drivers get to work with on a 45 MPH pit road. 

Smith was able to recover and find his way back towards the front, eventually setting for a 10th-place run. 

Earlier this week, Smith reminisced on the career of Kyle Busch. With Busch’s struggles at RCR, he and Smith frequently found themselves racing each other. Smith was grateful for all the tough battles and memories he got to make with Busch over the years.  

Up next for Smith will be Nashville, a track where he finished second at in 2024. Ford has also won both Nashville races since 2024, both being Penske Fords. Then after Nashville it will be Michigan, where Smith has finished seventh both of the past two seasons.