Zane Smith, competing in the NASCAR Cup Series, explained the actual reason behind his crash during Lap 268 at Kansas Speedway, an event that has drawn significant attention as the Zane Smith Kansas crash affected both his season and his standing in the series. The incident, which cut short Smith’s day and resulted in his fifth “Did Not Finish” (DNF) of the year, unfolded late in the race at the Kansas track.
Initially, Smith believed he had been involved in a massive pileup, thinking several cars drifted into him, causing the wreck. However, after reviewing race footage, the true nature of the accident became clear. As the field entered Turn 3, Smith, in 15th position, was hit by John Hunter Nemechek from Legacy Motor Club, with the contact sending Smith’s No. 38 car sliding along the wall before it violently flipped twice and landed upright.
“Getting into Turn 3, I mean, I didn’t even know what happened,”
Zane Smith said on Corey LaJoie’s Stacking Pennies podcast (21:30).
“I just got hit so hard it made me climb up the wall. I instantly thought…like, man, there must have been a big wreck underneath me and they all slid up into me. But then, after watching it, it was just the 42 (John Hunter Nemecheck) that drove through us.”
— Zane Smith, NASCAR Cup Series Driver
“I honestly felt like I was still ripping up against the wall, especially because my head is right by the ground. I felt myself slow down towards the exit of Turn 4, then everything slowed down a lot,”
he added. — Zane Smith, NASCAR Cup Series Driver
Smith Analyzes the Shocking Crash at Kansas Speedway
This crash marked the first time in Zane Smith’s NASCAR Cup career that he flipped a stock car, highlighting the unpredictable and dangerous aspects drivers face. After being evaluated and released at the infield care center at Kansas Speedway, Smith had an opportunity to reconsider the dramatic events.
“Just crazy restarts at Kansas and, man, I just got wrecked. They just drove right through my left rear, and so hard it kicked me up onto the wall, and then, yeah, just started flipping down the track. No, never flipped a stock car.”
— Zane Smith, NASCAR Cup Series Driver
Despite the intense incident, Smith was physically unharmed, but the impact on his race and momentum was severe. He finished the race in 31st place, well outside of scoring any meaningful points. Chase Elliott from Hendrick Motorsports secured the win, advancing to the Round of 8, with Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell, Chase Briscoe, and Bubba Wallace rounding out the top five finishers. The crash and its aftermath left a marked impression on Smith’s challenging sophomore Cup Series season.
Standings and Forthcoming Challenges for Smith
After Kansas, Zane Smith remains among drivers seeking their first victory in the ongoing season. Currently ranked 27th in the NASCAR Cup Series standings, the Huntington Beach, California native has gathered 537 points, with one top-five and four top-10 finishes this year. The incident at Kansas further complicated his pursuit of improved results and a breakthrough win.
Smith now turns his attention to the Bank of ROVAL 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, scheduled for Sunday, October 5. This 109-lap event could provide him with an opportunity to rebound from the Kansas crash and demonstrate resilience. The race will be broadcast live on USA Network at 3 p.m. ET, with radio coverage available on PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
The recent events have underscored the unpredictable and hazardous nature of NASCAR competition, particularly for drivers such as Smith, John Hunter Nemechek, and others involved in high-speed battles near the end of major races. As the Cup Series progresses, Smith’s ability to recover from such setbacks will be critical to the remainder of his season, especially in a fiercely competitive field that includes notable names like Christopher Bell, Chase Briscoe, and Bubba Wallace.
The emotional aftermath of the Zane Smith Kansas crash is likely to remain a focus as both the driver and his team analyze what went wrong and how to avoid similar incidents in the future. For now, fans and competitors alike will watch closely as Smith prepares for his next opportunity to leave a mark on the season and chase his first Cup Series victory.
