Zane Smith's wife McCall makes 'bittersweet' feelings known on watching his rookie season in NASCAR Cup Series

McCall Smith, Zane Smith’s wife, made her feelings known about her husband’s rookie season in the NASCAR Cup Series heading into the season finale. Despite a tough season, McCall shared how proud she was and hoped for a strong finish.

Smith is a 25-year-old NASCAR Cup Series rookie driving the No. 71 Chevrolet Camaro for Spire Motorsports. Before beginning his first year in NASCAR's premier series, Zane got married to McCall after dating for about six years.

McCall took to X (formerly Twitter) to post her message for her husband’s rookie season as he suited up for the final race at Phoenix Raceway. She wrote:

“Bittersweet watching [Zane’s] rookie season in Cup come to an end today. There has been so many highs and lows to this season but everything happens for a reason, and I’m so proud of Zane for never giving up. Ready to watch the 71 team finish strong today.”

Coming to the big league as the 2022 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion, Smith began his full-time Cup stint with Spire Motorsports through a loan with Trackhouse Racing

The driver didn't make an impact in the first half of the regular season until he scored a P2 finish in the 18th race at Nashville Speedway. He added another top-10 finish at Michigan International Speedway by crossing the line in 7th.

As the No. 71 driver competes at Phoenix Raceway, he has amassed two top-5 and four top-10 finishes this year.

Zane Smith drives the No. 71 Chevrolet Camaro for Spire Motorsports - Source: Imagn

Earlier this year, Trackhouse Racing decided to part ways with Zane Smith, a decision the driver felt disappointed over. The team signed Shane van Gisbergen for its expanded third seat next year, while Smith was left without a drive as Michael McDowell will take over the No. 71 Chevy.

While the 25-year-old is a favorite to land the new third seat at Front Row Motorsports, the team has yet to sign a driver amid its ongoing legal battle against NASCAR.

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McCall Smith reminisced about a special moment with Zane Smith coming to Phoenix

Zane Smith’s wife, McCall, expressed her feelings coming back to Phoenix Raceway. She recently reminisced about the moment her husband won the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship on the 1.0-mile track in 2022, describing it as something she won’t forget.

In a now-expired Instagram stories post, McCall wrote:

"Going to Phoenix for the final race of the season will forever bring up so many awesome memories from this day 2 years ago. Standing there watching Zane celebrate as a champion was something I'll never forget."

McCall Smith recalled Zane's 2022 Truck Series championship-winning run ahead of the Phoenix race - Source: @mccallkelli on Instagram

During his championship-winning season with Front Row Motorsports, Smith had four wins, 14 top-5s, and 19 top-10s in the No. 38 Ford F-150.

As for this year’s season finale at Phoenix Raceway, Smith started the race 28th after clocking a time of 26.96 seconds in qualifying.