Zane Smith’s pit road incident with AJ Allmendinger during the Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway drew a strong reaction from Smith’s wife, McCall Smith, highlighting rising tensions as the NASCAR season nears the playoffs. The altercation affected the Front Row Motorsports driver’s race, leaving both Smith and Allmendinger still searching for their first win this year.
The clash took place on Saturday during the 25th race of the NASCAR Cup Series, a 400-lap contest at Richmond Raceway. As reported, Allmendinger, driving for Kaulig Racing, entered the pit behind Smith and collided with the No. 38 Ford Mustang while exiting, which disrupted Smith’s team and their tire change. This critical error on pit road added to the pressure both drivers face with the playoffs just a race away at Darlington Raceway on August 31.
Reacting to the incident on social media, McCall Smith wrote,
“The 16 pitting behind us, hit us pulling out, knocked us off the jack and couldn’t put the tire on.. I mean we have been getting completely screwed from every angle lol….. 😵💫😵💫”
—McCall Smith
Smith’s Difficult Season and Relationship with Front Row Motorsports
Zane Smith, currently in his second year at the Cup level with Front Row Motorsports, ranks 27th in the standings, holding 415 points after 24 races. The 26-year-old’s season has seen modest success, including three top-10 finishes and a pole, but has also been marred by incidents like the one at Richmond. Smith reflected on his time with the team and its importance to his career, stating,
“I’ve always felt at home with Front Row Motorsports. They believed in me when I signed with them to race in the Truck Series initially in 2022 and we shared so much success together, winning six races and a championship in two seasons.”
—Zane Smith, Driver
He added further optimism, noting,
“It is a great time to come back and continue to build my career with an organization where I know I can win.”
—Zane Smith, Driver
Despite the setback in the Cook Out 400, Smith is looking ahead to the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway, slated for August 23. The next race, a 160-lap event, will be broadcast on Peacock and radio coverage provided through MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, offering another chance for Smith to improve his standing before the playoff cutoff.
Ongoing Tensions: Recent Run-In with Carson Hocevar
This pit road incident comes on the heels of another recent altercation involving Smith, this time with Carson Hocevar of Spire Motorsports at Iowa. Hocevar spun Smith while he was running 23rd, and Smith attempted to retaliate shortly after but missed. The sequence saw Smith finish a disappointing 36th place, while Hocevar claimed eighth.
After the episode, Smith’s wife, McCall, offered her take with a pointed comment: “This aged well…” —McCall Smith
Audio from Hocevar’s radio, as shared by a fan online, highlighted his frustration during these tense moments.
“ugh, I just have f***g idiots around me…tired of this shit”
—Carson Hocevar, Driver
Following the race at Iowa, Smith’s crew chief, Ryan Bergenty, confronted Hocevar, who insisted that the accident was a mistake and that he lost control, though this did little to help Smith, whose race was already over.
As the NASCAR Cup Series edges toward the playoffs, incidents involving Zane Smith continue to spark strong reactions from those around him, including his wife and team, underscoring the intensity and unpredictability on the path to the championship.
