Entering Turn 3, the #38 Ford Mustang got nudged by the #42 Legacy Motor Club Toyota Camry driven by John Hunter Nemechek.
Sandwiched against the wall, Smith’s car rode up the SAFER barrier and slid for several hundred metres on its side before coming down the track and rolling twice.
The car landed on all four wheels before coming to a rest on the apron.
“The fucking #42 drove in there and fucking cleaned up us,” said Smith on the radio.
The carnage continued as Nemechek slid out of control into Ty Gibbs in the #54 Joe Gibbs Racing Camry and Josh Berry in the #21 Wood Brothers Racing Mustang.
A scary tumble on the restart 😳
Zane Smith exited the car after taking a scary tumble across the track on the restart. #NASCARPlayoffs. pic.twitter.com/w3nHSQQeZn
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) September 28, 2025
The race was red-flagged while NASCAR officials assessed damage to the wall and to the track after a gouge was taken out of the asphalt.
After being released from the infield care centre, Smith recounted the dramatic crash.
“It was a wild ride – no doubt,” said Smith.
“Before I knew it, I mean, I had a decent restart going, and then I just got wrecked by the #42… just drives through me.
“Then yeah, I was sliding on the wall. I was just mad at that point with how our day was going.
“This just pissed me off even more because that’s what really hurt, was just flipping down the track. Violent, no doubt.
“Just a bummer. Right before that caution came out, I thought we were going to have a top 10 day racing up inside the top 10 the majority of the day.
“It’s a shame that it has to come to an end that way.”
Smith was classified 31st and seven laps down after two overtime finishes. Todd Gilliland was the best of the Front Row Motorsports drivers in 12th.
For more of the latest NASCAR news and analysis, visit Speedcafe US
Discussion about this post