During an intense overtime restart at Kansas Speedway, Zane Smith found himself caught in a terrifying crash that shook the race just moments before the leaders were to take the white flag. The incident unfolded when Smith, running just outside the top ten, was involved in a collision that sent his No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford into the outside wall, triggering a dramatic sequence of events.
The Start of the Chaotic Wreck
As the race neared its climax, John Hunter Nemechek’s No. 42 Legacy Motor Club Toyota made contact with Smith’s car. Both vehicles slammed forcefully into the outer barrier. While Nemechek’s car spun back into the track, causing a chain reaction that affected several other drivers, Smith’s crash escalated in severity.
Smith’s Car Climbs the Wall and Flips Multiple Times
Smith’s Ford unexpectedly climbed the SAFER Barrier on its side, grinding along the wall before flipping over repeatedly. After these multiple flips, the car finally landed upright. Despite the violent nature of the crash, Smith was able to exit the vehicle uninjured, though the incident forced officials to red-flag the race for safety checks.
Track safety workers examined the outside wall afterward and found it remained intact, needing no immediate repairs. This crash marked the first time a NASCAR Cup Series car flipped over at a race since Ryan Preece‘s accident at the 2025 Daytona 500.
Driver Reaction After the Crash
“It was a wild ride no doubt,”
said Smith.
“Before I knew it… I had a decent restart going and I just get wrecked by the 42 [Nemechek]. I mean, he drives through me. I was sliding on the wall and I was just mad at that point, and this just pissed me off even more. That’s what really hurt — just flipping down the track.”
– Zane Smith, Driver
Other Key Competitors and Race Dynamics
The crash involved not only Smith and Nemechek but also influenced several other participants in the race. Drivers such as Josh Berry in the Wood Brothers Racing Ford, Alex Bowman piloting the Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, and Austin Dillon with Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet were among those affected during the chaotic moments following the collision.
Significance and Future Implications
This dramatic wreck underscores the dangers NASCAR drivers face, especially during high-pressure restarts late in the race. The fact that Smith walked away without injury testifies to the advancements in safety technology, including the effectiveness of the SAFER Barrier. The incident will likely prompt renewed discussion about driver conduct during restarts and could influence NASCAR’s approach to race adjudication and safety measures on high-speed tracks like Kansas Speedway.
As the Cup Series continues, the spotlight will remain on how drivers manage aggressive battle situations and how the sport balances competitiveness with safety to prevent similar frightening crashes in the future.
