The spinning wheel that is the NASCAR Silly Season has been very busy as of late.
Justin Marks and Pitbull over at Trackhouse Racing are making plans for the future…beyond the 2024 season.
Defending Craftsman Truck Series champion Zane Smith has been signed to Trackhouse Racing beginning with the 2025 racing season, but in the mean time, he will spend the 2024 season over at Spire Motorsports as a full time Cup Series driver in an alliance with Trackhouse.
Spire Motorsports mDe the move possible after purchasing a charter – one of 36 guaranteed starting spots in the Cup Series races – from Live Fast Motorsports for a reported $40 million.
Smith has spent four years in the Truck Series where he has not only made it in the playoffs, but has reached the Championship Four each year and winning it last year.
Trackhouse founder Justin Marks spoke on the expansion and Smith saying, “expansion is not something to be taken lightly, but we feel Trackhouse is commercially and technically positioned for growth. You need good timing, very good partners and great drivers. Adding Zane is like signing the number one draft pick and we are proud that he is now a member of the Trackhouse family.”
Speaking on his moving to Trackhouse Racing, Zane Smith said, “this is an incredible moment for me. Trackhouse is one of the most progressive organizations in the garage. I told some friends a year ago that I wanted to be a part of what Trackhouse is doing and I just can’t believe this is all coming true. I am very excited and thankful to have a future with the organization.”
Smith added, “the Cup Series is the pinnacle of racing in America, and I cannot wait to compete, learn and hone my skills against the best in the world. I am really looking forward to working with the Spire Motorsports team in 2024 and believe the alliance with Trackhouse will help continue Spire’s ascent up the grid.”
He concluded, “it is the world to me. It’s all I’ve ever wanted to do. The sacrifices that have been made are where the emotion comes from and how bad I want it. I will do whatever it takes to win on Sunday and I now have that chance thanks to Justin Marks. Just so, so thankful for the people I’ve have had around me and ready to compete on Sunday. It’s crazy to say.”
Currently Trackhouse fields the number one car driven by “Melon Man” Ross Chastain and the number 99 car driven by Daniel Suarez full time with the Project 91 car running only a few races driven by stars from other racing formats. This past week Trackhouse has also signed New Zealand driver Shane van Gisbergen to a multi-year contract. At least for now, van aGisbergen will be driving in a variety of series to get acclimated to the NASCAR setups.