NASCAR CUP SERIES: CRACKER BARREL 400

May 31, 2026

Zane Smith

Pit Lane Interview

Q. Zane Smith, your second top 10 in a row here. You guys are close, man. That strategy was looking really good for a while.

ZANE SMITH: Yeah, for sure. I thought it was kind of a full-circle moment there thinking back a couple years ago, coming down the line with the 22 and him having just enough fuel. When I was being told to save fuel, I was like, man, I've got to make sure I have enough fuel and did what Joey did a couple years ago.

Just playing cat and mouse there with the 12 car. He obviously has a lot more experience than I do in that situation. Yeah, just trying to learn and put myself in control there and take advantage of that opportunity that I had.

I was really proud of our day and our week and the speed that our Speedy Cash Ford had. Man, I want to win so bad for everyone at FRM, my family, all of our partners. Man, we're getting closer and closer. Just need to keep this going every week.

Q. How much information were you getting about the 12 in the battle? There was a point where he just flipped the switch and went full tilt. Did you know that?

ZANE SMITH: I knew it for sure. I could see the shapes he was creating. Man, the dirty air is obviously so bad here, everywhere, but I was just trying to back up to him almost on entry and somewhat shut his air off and make sure that I could stay in control.