During the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway on September 28, Zane Smith’s race took an unexpected and frightening turn when his car flipped several times after contact on the track. Smith was aiming simply to finish the race upright while several NASCAR playoff contenders competed for the lead ahead, but a collision involving John Hunter Nemechek drastically altered his day and the race’s dynamic.
Smith’s No. 38 vehicle slid sideways along the wall exiting turn 4 before flipping multiple times, finally settling right-side up on the tri-oval apron. The incident occurred after Nemechek drifted up and made contact with Smith’s left rear, sending him into the wall. Both drivers were vying for positions inside the top 20, far behind leader Bubba Wallace at that juncture.
Details of the Flip and Aftermath
The violent crash saw Smith’s car ride the wall with the driver’s side window net scraping the asphalt, eventually flipping down the track. Fortunately, Smith was able to exit his vehicle unassisted soon after the accident, escaping without serious injury. When speaking to Frontstretch’s Dalton Hopkins about the wreck, Smith described the moment vividly, highlighting the intensity and severity of the contact.
“So, violent, no doubt, but a really fast SpeedyCash Ford. Just a bummer it had to end this way … never flipped a stock car, so, add that one to the resume.”
— Zane Smith
The crash also ended the races for both Nemechek and Josh Berry, who both left the track without commenting on the incident. Smith’s flip forced the race into overtime, eliminating the strong advantage Toyota had built by holding the top five positions before the wreck.
Race Impact and Final Outcome
The disruption allowed Chevrolet’s Chase Elliott to close the gap on the restarted field and capture a surprising victory. The incident showcased how a single collision in NASCAR can swiftly change the complexion of a race, shifting momentum and clearing the way for new contenders to emerge. Smith’s crash was a dramatic and somber moment amid a tense afternoon at Kansas Speedway.
Zane Smith just flipped over at Kansas! @NASCAR #NASCAR #HollywoodCasino400 pic.twitter.com/jTh2Cuf4lf
— Colin Welty (@weltywx) September 28, 2025
Zane Smith exited the vehicle under his own power after this incident late at @kansasspeedway. pic.twitter.com/vbF4OXvROl
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) September 28, 2025
