During Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway, Zane Smith experienced a terrifying crash when his No. 38 Ford flipped twice after making contact with another competitor. Despite the violent accident, Smith was able to exit the vehicle under his own power, avoiding serious injury, in an incident that quickly attracted attention for its severity and outcome.
Details of the Dramatic Crash
The wreck occurred late in the race during a two-lap overtime restart at Kansas Speedway. Smith’s car collided with John Hunter Nemechek’s vehicle, which forced Smith into the outside wall. This initial contact caused Smith’s car to tip onto its side and slide along the wall for several yards before flipping twice. Remarkably, Smith’s car came to rest upright, enabling him to walk away without assistance.
NASCAR released a video of the crash on its official X account, showing Smith’s car sliding on its side before rolling over. The post confirmed,
“Zane Smith exited the vehicle under his own power after this incident late at @kansasspeedway”
This account visually documented the crash and confirmed Smith’s condition after the accident.
Smith’s Reaction and Immediate Aftermath
Fox Sports reported that Smith had been positioned for a strong finish before the collision altered the race’s outcome. Speaking with NBC Sports after the incident, Smith expressed frustration about how the crash unfolded:
“It was a wild ride, no doubt. I had a decent restart going and I just get wrecked by the 42. He just drives through me and then I was sliding on the wall. I was just mad at that point from how our day was going and this just pissed me off even more because that’s what really hurt was just flipping down the track. It was violent, no doubt.” (via NASCAR.com)
The race was paused for approximately nine minutes while safety crews inspected the scene, verifying Smith’s well-being and checking the condition of the track and the wall that took a significant impact. Officials noted that the wall sustained a large gouge from the crash, although the surrounding fencing remained intact. Afterward, NASCAR permitted Front Row Motorsports to retrieve Smith’s car and transport it back to their shop for a thorough inspection.
Engineers will review the car to ensure that all safety equipment functioned properly during the violent incident, highlighting NASCAR’s ongoing commitment to driver safety despite the dramatic nature of crashes in the sport.
Impact on Smith’s Season and Race Standings
Zane Smith expressed particular disappointment due to his performance prior to the crash, having maintained a top-10 presence for much of the race. Reflecting on the abrupt end to his promising day, Smith remarked,
“Right before that caution came out, we were gonna have a top-10 day, racing up inside the top 10 a majority of the day, and it’s a shame that it has to come to an end that way,” (via NASCAR.com)
The crash resulted in Smith finishing in 31st place. Along with Smith, John Hunter Nemechek and Josh Berry were unable to continue racing after the collision, while Ty Gibbs managed to avoid significant problems and remained in the event. In his sophomore full Cup Series season, Smith currently sits 27th in the overall standings, competing under Front Row Motorsports, but he has not qualified for the playoffs this year.
The Broader Significance and Next Steps
The violent nature of the crash and Smith’s ability to walk away uninjured underscores the effectiveness of NASCAR’s safety protocols and equipment, which have evolved significantly over time to protect drivers in extreme situations. The incident also highlights how quickly circumstances can change in high-stakes races, affecting drivers’ playoff chances and season momentum.
Going forward, the inspection of Smith’s vehicle will provide vital information about the car’s crashworthiness and safety features under intense conditions, potentially informing future safety improvements. For Smith and Front Row Motorsports, the focus will shift to recovery and regrouping for upcoming races, as Smith aims to improve his standings and build on his performances leading into the next NASCAR events.
Zane Smith exited the vehicle under his own power after this incident late at @kansasspeedway. pic.twitter.com/vbF4OXvROl
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) September 28, 2025
