Members of the NASCAR industry posted numerous social media messages on Dec. 25 wishing people Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Zane Smith also did so while seemingly teasing a new contract.
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The California native made a simple post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, on the afternoon of Dec. 25. He wrote "Merry Christmas" and added a Santa Claus emoji. He also added the hand holding a pen emoji, which has become the universal sign of a driver signing a contract in NASCAR.
Merry Christmas ✍🏼🎅🏼
— Zane Smith (@ZaneSmith) December 25, 2024
Smith, the 2022 Craftsman Truck Series champion, did not provide any details. He just made the post and stepped away while the comments rolled in. Some people wished him a Merry Christmas while others told him to make the announcement. They were tired of waiting.
Smith's future has been in question since August 23. This is the day that he and Trackhouse Racing announced they had mutually parted ways after the 2024 season. Smith drove for Spire Motorsports last season, but he was a Trackhouse Racing driver after signing a contract in 2023.
One day later, Trackhouse Racing announced that it would expand to three full-time Cup Series cars with Shane van Gisbergen joining Ross Chastain and Daniel Suarez in the lineup.
"Obviously, I am disappointed that I've been put in a tough spot," Smith said in a statement in August. "I am diligently exploring quality driving opportunities and hope to quickly wrap up my plans for next year.
"Meanwhile, kudos to our (No. 71) Cup team. We've turned our year around this summer with six top-20 finishes in the last ten races, which includes a top-10 last weekend and a runner-up finish in Nashville.
"With more determination than ever, I will continue to do what I know best and that is to work hard, race my heart out, and prove myself. Thank you to everyone that has and continues to stand behind me."
Smith did not have many options as the end of 2024 approached. Riley Herbst took the third seat at 23XI Racing while Ty Dillon and AJ Allmendinger took the two spots at Kaulig Racing. One of Rick Ware's charters went to RFK Racing on a lease so Ryan Preece could drive the No. 60.
The best remaining option in the Cup Series after November's championship weekend was Front Row Motorsports, the team Smith drove for in the Truck Series.
The team had named Todd Gilliland and Noah Gragson as two of its three drivers, but one spot remained in the lineup. This seat hinged on the acquisition of a charter from Stewart-Haas Racing, which the Court just ruled on in Front Row Motorsports' favor.
Front Row has not made any announcements regarding Smith and a reunion with the Truck Series champion.
