Hailey
Kansas: NASCAR fans witnessed a frightening moment at Kansas Speedway during the Cup Series race when Zane Smith was involved in a violent crash in overtime. His No. 38 Ford flipped twice after making contact with another car and slamming into the wall.
Despite the terrifying accident, Smith managed to climb out of his car on his own, proving the strength of modern race car safety systems. The incident became one of the biggest talking points of the race weekend.
The Crash Explained
Smith was running in the high lane going into Turn 3 while racing side-by-side with his teammate Todd Gilliland.
At the same time, John Hunter Nemechek charged up behind Smith and made contact with his left-rear quarter panel. That small bump was enough to send Smith’s car into the SAFER barrier.
Nemechek’s No. 42 Toyota then pushed Smith’s car even harder against the wall, forcing it onto its side. The car slid for several yards before flipping onto its roof and barrel-rolling twice. Finally, the car landed on all four tires, and Smith climbed out under his own power.
Smith’s Reaction
Speaking to NBC Sports, Smith admitted the crash was scary but also frustrating:
“It was a wild ride, no doubt. I had a decent restart going and then the 42 just drove through me. I was sliding on the wall, and then I flipped down the track. It was violent, but we had such a fast car today. We were going to finish inside the top 10, and it’s just a shame it ended this way.”
Smith’s comments showed both his disappointment and relief after surviving the accident without injury.
Other Drivers Involved
The crash did not only affect Smith. After Nemechek hit Smith, his car came back down the track and collected Ty Gibbs and Josh Berry. While Gibbs was able to continue racing, both Nemechek and Berry suffered too much damage and had to retire from the event.
Berry, who had finished as the runner-up the previous weekend, also shared his thoughts:
“I tried to go by on the bottom, but the 42 spun down and clipped us. It’s just part of being in those late-race restarts. Everyone is pushing hard to make up positions.”
Race Results
The crash ruined what could have been a strong finish for Smith. Instead, he ended up in 31st place, followed by Nemechek in 32nd and Berry in 33rd.
Here is a quick look at how the three drivers finished:
| Driver | Car Number | Team | Finish Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zane Smith | 38 | Front Row Motorsports | 31st |
| John Hunter Nemechek | 42 | Legacy Motor Club | 32nd |
| Josh Berry | 4 | Stewart-Haas Racing | 33rd |
What’s Next in the Playoffs
While Smith’s crash grabbed headlines, the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs are still ongoing. The next big race is set for October 5 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval, which will mark the end of the Round of 12. Fans will be watching closely to see who advances to the next stage.
The Kansas crash involving Zane Smith was one of the scariest moments of the season. His car flipped twice, showing the dangers of racing at high speeds.
Thankfully, Smith and the other drivers walked away safely, a clear sign of how much NASCAR safety technology has improved over the years.
For Smith, it was a heartbreaking end to what could have been a top-10 finish, but for fans, it was a reminder of just how unpredictable and thrilling NASCAR racing can be.