Zane Smith lands Cup Ride

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Bryan Moyers

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Smith will attempt to qualify the Front Row Motorsports 36 car for the Daytona 500 and will have 5 other Cup races in the #38.

What’s Happening?

Ford development driver Zane Smith announced that he will get his shot at the Cup Series with Front Row Motorsports. In addition to an attempt at qualifying for the Daytona 500, Smith will get 6 races in FRM’s 38 car. Those 6 races bumps Todd Gilliland from the seat. Gilliland is attempting to fill his schedule in other cars.

What you need to know

Smith will run the #36 FRM car in the 500, sponsored by AmBetter
Other races for Smith in the #38 will be Phoenix, Talladega, Texas, Sonoma, and twice at Charlotte.
The 6 races in the 38 does take races away from Todd Gilliland who will not have a full time ride at this point.

🚨NEWS🚨

It’s official. @AmbetterHealth and @WellcarePlans partner with @ZaneSmith for his first #Daytona500 attempt in the No. 36 @FordPerformance Mustang and five additional races in the No. 38 @Ford

Full Schedule Here: https://t.co/BqU3v6r8Yc pic.twitter.com/6jUzSZK485
— Front Row Motorsports (@Team_FRM) February 7, 2023

Main Characters:

Excited for this opportunity to race in the @NASCAR Cup series with @Team_FRM. So happy to represent @AmbetterHealth & @WellcarePlans starting @DAYTONA! pic.twitter.com/7WLTthinNe
— Zane Smith (@ZaneSmith) February 7, 2023

Zane Smith is excited for the opportunity in the FRM car (above), while Gilliland (below) is disappointed in the move which reduces his previously full-time Cup bid.

As you guys have heard I won’t be full time in the 38 this year. It was a shock when they told me and I’m disappointed. We’re working really hard to still be behind the wheel for the races I will be missing and plan on putting our best foot forward all season.
— Todd Gilliland (@ToddGilliland_) February 7, 2023

Todd Gilliland was asked about being a teammate, especially in the draft at the upcoming Daytona 500. He admitted that it would be tough, but at the end of the day he would be a good teammate to Zane.

Todd Gilliland could be in an awkward position in the duels where he is expected to push Front Row teammate Zane Smith into the Daytona 500 — all the while knowing that Smith is replacing him for six races this year.

What Gilliland had to say about being a good teammate. pic.twitter.com/CjMZqXgGlT
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) February 9, 2023

UPDATE 2/15/23: Gilliland signs with Rick Ware Racing for 5 races in the No. 15 Ford Mustang, leaving Talladega as the only gap in his full time schedule.

#NASCAR News: @ToddGilliland_ will compete in five #NASCAR Cup Series events for @RickWareRacing, piloting the No. 15 Ford Mustang.

Gilliland is now tasked with finding a landing spot for @TALLADEGA. https://t.co/uedyjqCmMV
— TobyChristie.com (@TobyChristieCom) February 15, 2023

This news comes hours after KHI Management added Gilliland to their client roster.