For the second consecutive week, a NASCAR Cup Series race featured post-race contact on the cool-down lap. But unlike the previous incident involving Michael McDowell and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Oct. 11—which resulted in no penalties after a lengthy discussion and quick de-escalation—Sunday at Phoenix Raceway brought a heavy hand from officials.
Zane Smith was hit with a $50,000 fine for ramming Carson Hocevar after the checkered flag. Speaking on the "Hauler Talk" podcast, NASCAR vice president of racing communications Mike Forde revealed that the punishment was triggered by a prior warning the drivers received following a run-in at Chicagoland Speedway.
According to Forde, both competitors were summoned to the hauler at Atlanta. The message from officials was clear: if the drivers could not sort out their on-track issues themselves, the series would intervene. Because that warning was ignored, NASCAR stepped in, with Smith bearing the financial consequence.
Forde noted that while NASCAR encourages drivers to show passion and aggression, the post-race strike in Phoenix crossed the line due to the ignored prior instructions. With Smith holding a few days to appeal the decision, further details were withheld by officials. The $50,000 penalty matches the exact fine levied against Bubba Wallace after he hit Alex Bowman's No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet on the cool-down lap following the 2024 Chicago Street Race.
Hosted by Mike Forde and senior director of racing communications Amanda Ellis, the 74th episode of "Hauler Talk" also touched on several other competition topics. These included the number of teams swapping brake pads and rotors following practice and qualifying at Phoenix, the restart order mix-up that extended the final caution, Toyota clinching the manufacturer championship with three races remaining, and the new aerodynamic rules package slated for Talladega.
