NASCAR
Chris Buescher Tests Positive for COVID, Zane Smith to Make Cup Debut
CONCORD, N.C. – Announced Thursday, RFK Racing’s Chris Buescher has tested positive for COVID-19. As a result, the Texas native will be sidelined for this weekend’s Enjoy Illinois 300 from World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway. Filling in the vacancy in the No. 17 Mustang will be Truck Series standout Zane Smith. This will mark the California native’s Cup Series debut. Buescher is expected to be back in his seat for next week’s race from Sonoma Raceway. Being a Ford driver with Front Row Motorsports, Smith filling in at RFK Racing is a perfect fit.
“First off, I hope Chris has a fast recovery,” Zane Smith said in a statement. “I can’t help but be excited and reflect on how lucky I am for this opportunity. There’s been countless times where I thought my career was coming to an end and I didn’t know what was next. All I’ve ever wanted to do was race on Sundays. To do it for a team like RFK is unbelievable. I can’t thank Bob Jenkins, Front Row Motorsports, and everyone who’s helped me get to this point in my career. Brad Keselowski, Ford, and RFK, I hope to make the most of this opportunity.”
Team co-owner Brad Keselowski shared some candid comments about Zane Smith via Twitter. The past Cup champion called the 22-year-old “the #1 available driver prospect… Doesn’t hurt he’s earned his success.”
Zane Smith is in the midst of his best season yet in NASCAR. Through 10 Truck Series races, the Ford driver has three wins (Daytona, COTA, Kansas), eight top-10s, and an average finish of 10.8. After being the Truck Series championship runner-up the last two years, Smith is very nicely positioned to end up one spot better this November.
What could Sunday mean for Zane Smith’s career outlook? Priority one should be remaining out of other’s trouble and run all 240 laps. If that mission is accomplished, then Smith may grab the attention of a watchful Cup Series owner. Smith had a contract to take over the Chip Ganassi Racing No. 1 Chevrolet in 2022, before that team got sold to Trackhouse. Smith is one of the most talented and marketable free agents entering 2023, as he aims for the next step up the racing ladder.
The coming weekend will certainly be busy for Zane Smith, as he’s now performing double-duty in Trucks and Cup. The Truck race will be Saturday afternoon at 1:30 ET, with the Enjoy Illinois 300 going green Sunday at 3:30. Both Gateway races can be found on FS1, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.
Written by Peter Stratta
Be sure to follow us on Twitter
Be sure to follow the writer on Twitter
Photo Credit to Chris Graythen/Getty Images for NASCAR
