Zane Smith eyes his first Cup Series win at the 100-start milestone

Zane Smith is about to hit a massive career milestone this Sunday at Chicagoland Speedway: his 100th start in the NASCAR Cup Series. It is an impressive number for the 27-year-old, and he is not just there to make up the numbers. He is hunting for his first win.

Driving the No. 38 Ford for Front Row Motorsports, Smith has shown real flashes of brilliance recently. He has already racked up six top-10 finishes in the first 18 races this season, proving he can run at the front. The confidence is surging after strong performances at Charlotte Motor Speedway and Nashville Superspeedway, and he is hungry to translate that pace into a visit to victory lane. As he puts it, "I hope to get my first Cup Series win."

It has been a wild journey to this 100th start, with Smith having driven for RFK Racing, Rick Ware Racing, and Spire Motorsports before finding his current home. He admits that being part of a smaller team competing against powerhouses like Penske, Hendrick, and Gibbs is a massive challenge. Yet, he is adamant that he is a much different driver now than he was in his rookie year, and he is ready to prove his worth on the track.