Following a collision with Carson Hocevar at Iowa Speedway last weekend, Zane Smith finally voiced his frustrations at Watkins Glen on Saturday. Smith, who races for Front Row Motorsports and was Hocevar’s teammate at Spire Motorsports last year, criticized his former teammate sharply amid ongoing tensions. The conflict initially escalated after Smith’s crew chief, Ryan Bergenty, clashed with Hocevar on pit road, stirring widespread discussion before Smith himself spoke out.
Smith accused Hocevar of reckless behavior and questioned the portrayal of Hocevar in the media. He explained the difficulty of communicating with Hocevar without risking harsh penalties, saying,
I personally can’t go have a conversation with him without getting a $75,000 fine. Yeah, he’s just a dumb [expletive]. That’s just how it is.
—Zane Smith
This reference to a $75,000 fine echoes an incident earlier in 2024 when Ricky Stenhouse Jr. was penalized for confronting Kyle Busch, illustrating the harsh consequences drivers face for aggressive behavior.
Smith Critiques Media’s Glorification of Hocevar’s “Intimidator” Image
Smith also challenged the media’s tendency to compare Hocevar to the legendary Dale Earnhardt Sr., implying that Hocevar’s reputation as a fierce competitor is exaggerated. He said,
I think that the media feeds into him trying to play this like ‘Intimidator’ role, but then he’ll act like he’s your buddy, and then just be an idiot on social media. I was teammates with him, and everyone at that race shop, everyone in this garage, realizes he’s an idiot.
—Zane Smith
Smith’s comments reveal his belief that Hocevar’s combative behavior may be a manufactured persona designed to create buzz, but questions arise about the effectiveness of such an approach when it hasn’t been backed by consistent race wins or time in Victory Lane.
What Happened Between Hocevar and Smith on the Track?
The incident sparking the tension involved Hocevar losing control entering Turn 1 at Iowa Speedway, causing his car to slide up the banking and collide with Smith’s left rear. Smith’s car spun sharply into the SAFER barrier, abruptly ending his hopes for a strong finish. Attempting retaliation, Smith tried to swipe back at Hocevar but was unsuccessful.
Despite the heated on-track altercation, Hocevar showed no intention of reaching out afterwards. On why he didn’t apologize, Hocevar stated,
Why would I give a you-know-what to reach out? He took a swing, and if he wrecks me, then that’s cool, but I don’t know. He already took a swing. And, I mean, what’s the point?
—Carson Hocevar
Implications of Growing Rivalries Among Drivers
Smith’s criticisms add to a growing list of adversaries Hocevar has amassed this season, underscoring the fractious environment in the NASCAR garage. These tensions could affect both drivers’ future performances and relationships within the sport. How Hocevar manages his reputation and interpersonal conflicts may influence his career trajectory, especially as fans and media continue to scrutinize his actions on and off the track.
For Zane Smith, the recent events represent a breaking point, revealing deep frustration with a competitor he once considered a teammate. With strong opinions made public, the rivalry is likely to be a significant storyline moving forward in the NASCAR season.
