Zane Smith to run six races in place of Todd Gilliland during 2023 Cup season

Zane Smith, the reigning NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion, was set to attempt the Daytona 500 this month already, but he will also drive in six additional races for Front Row Motorsports in the Cup Series this season.

FRM announced Tuesday that Smith will race the No. 38, typically driven by Todd Gilliland, in a half dozen Cup races in 2023, starting with the Phoenix Cup race next month.

Smith will also pilot the No. 38 in Talladega Superspeedway’s spring race, the Coca-Cola 600, Sonoma Raceway, Texas Motor Speedway’s fall race, and the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval race.

Gilliland was expected to run the entire season. It’s the first time since 2019 that the No. 38 FRM Ford has had a driver return for two consecutive seasons. The entry has belonged to several drivers in the last few years, including John Hunter Nemechek and Anthony Alfredo.

“As you guys have heard I won’t be full time in the 38 this year.,” Gilliland tweeted. “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.”

Smith is regarded as one of the top talents in one of NASCAR’s national series that isn’t already at the Cup level. He has one career Cup start — a substitute role with RFK Racing when Chris Buescher was sidelined for the Gateway race last summer after testing positive for COVID-19. Smith finished 17th in his debut.

“I’m fortunate to have a great sponsor of Centene’s stature to step up and support me and Front Row Motorsports as I look to gain racing experience in the NASCAR Cup Series while at the same time defending the NASCAR Craftsman title,” Smith said in a team release. “I’m excited to represent Ambetter Health and Wellcare as Centene continues to grow their involvement in NASCAR and their healthcare presence across the United States.”

The 23-year-old will attempt the 500 in a third FRM car. He’ll be in the No. 36 Ford — an open entry — that isn’t guaranteed into the race since it doesn’t have a charter attached. He might have to beat out the likes of Jimmie Johnson and Travis Pastrana to be in “The Great American Race.”

Of the 36 chartered entries in the Cup Series, 33 have full-time drivers. The only cars without a full-timer behind the wheel are Rick Ware Racing’s No. 15, Live Fast Motorsports’ No. 78, and now the FRM No. 38. Gilliland is scheduled to run 30 races with FRM. Still, with the No. 15 also being a Ford, it seems plausible that he could run the entire season between the No. 38 and RWR entries.