Smith Joins DGR-CROSLEY for Truck Series Debut

By Seth Eggert, Staff Writer

The 2018 racing season has been a year of firsts for Zane Smith, who will now add his first NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race to that list.

Smith will pilot the No. 54 CROSLEY Brands / LaPaz Margarita Mix Toyota Tundra for David Gilliland Racing – CROSLEY Group in the Villa Lighting Delivers the Eaton 200 at Gateway Motorsports Park.

Smith, who competes full-time in the ARCA Racing Series, earned his first career victory at Fairgounds Speedway Nashville earlier this season. The 19-year-old went on to win at Talladega Superspeedway and Toledo Speedway. Smith is second in the ARCA Racing Series Points standings, sitting 55-points behind his MDM Motorsports teammate, Sheldon Creed, in the Championship Points Standings.

“Honestly, I’m pumped for my Truck Series debut,” Smith said as he explained how the deal came together. “I got a text, and we pretty much did everything in a day to get all the approvals and everything we needed to do. My goal is to put together a solid race and make the most of this opportunity with DGR-Crosley. Hopefully we will be contending for a win at the end, but just to have a shot is all you can ask for. Thank you to all the people that support me and make this possible: LaPaz Margarita Mix, SpeedVegas, Icon Vehicle Dynamics Ultra Wheel and Crosley Brands. This is a dream come true to continue moving up the ladder.”

In 25 career starts in the ARCA Racing Series, Smith has three victories (all this season), 14 top-five, and 19 top-10 finishes. He also has two pole positions. 2018 marks Smith’s first full season in the Series.

Smith has three previous NASCAR starts, two in the K&N Pro Series East and one in the West division. In all three of those starts, the Huntington Beach, CA native finished inside the top-10.

Prior to the Truck Series race at Gateway on Saturday night, Smith will compete in the ARCA Racing Series’ Papa Nicholas Coffee 150 at Gateway. This is the first time ARCA will visit the 1.250-mile oval since 2007.

Now Smith will look to not only impress in his Truck Series debut, but also make the most of the extra seat time as he battles for the Championship in the ARCA Racing Series.