Smith issued $50k fine for Hocevar contact

NASCAR has issued a $50,000 fine to Zane Smith for intentionally driving into the back of Carson Hocevar after Sunday's race at Phoenix Raceway. The behavioral penalty falls under Sections 4.4a and 10.5.2.5a of the NASCAR Rule Book. After taking the checkered flag in the Freeway Insurance 500, Smith failed to lift off the gas and struck Hocevar's rear bumper, sparking confrontation on pit road.

The retaliatory contact stemmed from an earlier on-track incident involving Ross Chastain, which damaged Smith and Josh Berry. NASCAR officials cited previous discussions regarding run-ins between the two drivers at Chicagoland and EchoPark Speedway as a primary factor for penalizing Smith, who retains the right to appeal.