NASCAR fined Zane Smith $50,000 for accelerating his car into Carson Hocevar’s on the cooldown lap after Sunday’s race at Phoenix. Smith’s move followed late-race contact involving Hocevar, Smith and Josh Berry, after Ross Chastain bumped Hocevar into them. Smith received no points penalty.

By the Numbers
  • $50,000 fine for Smith.
  • Smith finished 15th; Hocevar finished 12th.
  • Hocevar sits 11th in the standings, 158 points behind the lead, with 3 races remaining.
Yes, But

Smith’s action was retaliatory, but the contact that sparked the incident began when Chastain bumped Hocevar into Smith and Berry. Smith and Hocevar have a history of run-ins, and both had already been warned by NASCAR at the next event after a previous incident.

State of Play
  • NASCAR cited behavioral and safety rule violations; no other penalties were issued across its top three national series after the Phoenix weekend.
  • The series head to Talladega for a tripleheader from Oct. 23-25.
What's Next

The Cup Series closes out the Talladega weekend with the YellaWood 500 on Sunday, Oct. 25. Hocevar remains in contention as the season enters its final three races.

Bottom Line

Smith’s post-race retaliation cost him $50,000, but not points—an expensive reminder that NASCAR can punish dangerous conduct even after the checkered flag.