Zane Smith's Struggle and the Iowa Speedway Showdown

Zane Smith's journey in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series has been anything but smooth. With his last win dating back to 2022, Smith has faced immense pressure to perform. Despite a strong start in the Truck Series and a high-profile move to the Cup level, his season has been marked by inconsistency. Through 23 races, he has only three top-10 finishes, no top-5s, and four DNFs, with an average finish of 20. 96. The No. 38 car has shown moments of speed, even securing a pole position, but Smith remains outside the top 25 in points, stuck in a cycle of mediocrity. The tension boiled over at Iowa Speedway. On Lap 229, Carson Hocevar lost control, sending Smith's car into the wall and ending his race. Hocevar finished eighth and celebrated casually, but for Smith and his team, it was the final straw. Emotions ran high, and Smith's crew chief, Ryan Bergenty, confronted Hocevar on pit road. The confrontation was intense, with Bergenty expressing his frustration over the incident. Denny Hamlin, who also had a tough race at Iowa, weighed in on the situation. He stated that he doesn't mind crew chiefs confronting drivers in such scenarios. Hamlin believes that those responsible for the car have a right to voice their opinions, especially when their hard work is impacted by another driver's actions. This isn't the first time such incidents have occurred in NASCAR. In 2012, Tony Gibson, Kurt Busch's crew chief, was fined and placed on probation after a physical altercation during the Southern 500. In 2024, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 's post-race brawl with Kyle Busch, involving crew members, also led to hefty fines and suspensions. These incidents highlight the stress and frustration that can build up in the high-pressure world of racing. The Iowa race was particularly chaotic, with 11 cautions and multiple on-track clashes. Carson Hocevar, known for his aggressive driving style, found himself at the center of the storm. His actions drew sharp criticism from other drivers, including Shane van Gisbergen, who is known for his composure. Van Gisbergen's radio outburst about Hocevar's driving style underscored the growing frustration among competitors. The incident at Iowa Speedway serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of NASCAR. Denny Hamlin's unfiltered opinion highlights the growing unrest around the sport's decisions, while the on-track tempers flare just as hot. With Carson Hocevar's aggressive driving style continuing to cause friction, the drama in NASCAR shows no signs of slowing down.