Zane Smith revealed he felt the urge to punch fellow driver Carson Hocevar during a confrontation at Iowa earlier this year but restrained himself due to the serious consequences that come with physical altercations in NASCAR. The incident highlights ongoing tensions between drivers in the highly competitive NASCAR environment.
Smith explained that trying to resolve the issue through conversation felt pointless since Hocevar did not seem to care about making amends. Speaking on the Stacking Pennies podcast, Smith said:
“I didn’t talk to him, and it’s just you’re not going to get anything from it. I don’t really know how else you can explain that. I mean, yeah, you wanna go up to him and punch him in the face, but that’s $75,000, and that’s not very cool.” — Zane Smith, NASCAR driver
This restraint reflects Smith’s awareness of NASCAR’s strict rules against physical violence, as was seen last year when Ricky Stenhouse Jr. was fined $75,000 and had crew members suspended for punching Kyle Busch. Smith, now in his second year driving the No. 38 car for Front Row Motorsports, is mindful of avoiding similar penalties for himself and his team.
Neither Smith nor Hocevar has qualified for the NASCAR playoffs this season, but both remain in contention for wins. Through 29 races, Smith ranks 27th with 519 points, while Hocevar stands 24th with 577 points. Their next challenge is the Mobil 1 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, scheduled for Sunday, September 21, with television coverage on USA Network at 2 p.m. ET and live radio broadcasts on PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Carson Hocevar Faces Fine Over Livestream Comments
Earlier in the season, Carson Hocevar was fined by Spire Motorsports for inappropriate language used during an iRacing livestream while the NASCAR circuit was in Mexico. Reports indicated Hocevar used an expletive during the broadcast, prompting his team to conduct an internal investigation before issuing a $50,000 fine.
Spire Motorsports formally addressed the situation in a statement that emphasized the importance of upholding respectful communication standards, saying:
“Carson Hocevar’s recent comments made during the livestream fell short of that standard. They did not represent the views of Spire Motorsports, our partners, or NASCAR.” — Spire Motorsports, official statement
“He has acknowledged his mistake publicly, and his prompt, sincere apology demonstrated personal accountability. We now take this additional step to underscore that words carry weight, and respect must be lived out loud.” — Spire Motorsports, official statement
The penalty money was donated to three Mexican charities: Cruz Roja Mexicana, Un Kilo de Ayuda, and Fondo Unido México. Additionally, Hocevar was required to complete mandatory cultural sensitivity and bias-awareness training to address the implications of his actions.
The Ongoing Impact of Conflict Among NASCAR Drivers
The rivalry between Smith and Hocevar illustrates the broader challenges drivers face balancing intense competition with professional conduct. Physical confrontations or untoward language can lead to steep financial penalties, suspensions, and reputational damage, which drivers like Smith seek to avoid despite frustrations on the track.
With Smith and Hocevar aiming for race wins this season, emotions remain high, but NASCAR’s vigilant enforcement of conduct rules serves to curb the escalation of conflicts. The upcoming race at New Hampshire will test both drivers’ focus and discipline as they strive to improve their standings while navigating the pressures of a tense racing environment.
Our drivers are fierce competitors anytime they strap in a race car. @ZaneSmith talks about his on-track rivalry. 👀 pic.twitter.com/X8a28kdcUz
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) September 16, 2025
