Team radios are the heartbeat of NASCAR-where strategy, stress, and raw emotion collide at 200 mph. These communication systems are the lifeline between drivers and their crews, relaying everything from tire pressures to urgent warnings about on-track chaos. Over the years, iconic radio moments have become part of racing lore, like Dale Earnhardt’s legendary “Good job, guys!” after his 1998 Daytona 500 win, or the infamous “wreck him” directive that set off fireworks between Austin Dillon and Joey Logano.
Radios don’t just keep cars running. They give fans a front-row seat to the unfiltered drama, thanks to NASCAR’s open channels that let listeners tune in live. But sometimes, the banter goes off-script, turning the airwaves into a battleground. This weekend at Kansas, one such exchange set social media ablaze, putting a young driver in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
Zane Smith’s radio outburst at Kansas
Alex Bowman (No. 48) and Denny Hamlin (No. 11) were at the center of one of Kansas Speedway’s most heated moments, battling fiercely alongside Zane Smith (No. 38) in a tense three-wide fight for position. On Lap 95, Bowman, running the outside line, was squeezed by Hamlin and Smith, resulting in Bowman’s car being forced into the wall and sustaining significant damage. The contact left Bowman frustrated, as he felt the aggressive racing style of the Next Gen cars made it easy for the outside driver to get “put in the fence” during such tight battles.
The incident escalated when Hamlin, after passing Bowman, waved at him out the window. This was an act that Bowman took as a taunt, responding angrily over his radio: “Tell him to put his hand back in the window and don’t drive me in the f—— fence next time.” This exchange set the stage for heightened tempers throughout the field and the race.
Zane Smith, meanwhile, was caught in the middle of the drama. With 97 laps to go, Zane Smith was behind Alex Bowman. He noticed that Bowman was weaving aggressively, possibly with the intention of wrecking the driver behind him. Over his team radio, Smith vented, “Well, this one says 38, not 11. So don’t f—— flip me off, little b—-,” referencing his concern that Bowman might mistake him for Hamlin and direct his anger his way unintentionally. But, hey! Intentional wrecking is a big No-No in NASCAR. So maybe Smith was just paranoid. We have seen NASCAR implement it not too long ago.
“well this one says 38, not 11. so don’t fucking flip me off, little bitch.” – ZS pic.twitter.com/cZGbAAHj0E
— aj* (@trafficparadise) May 11, 2025
Xfinity Series driver Sammy Smith was docked 50 points and fined $25,000 at Martinsville this season. Why? Well, Smith was in the second position on the final lap and drove into Turn 3 with the clear intention to run into race leader Taylor Gray. But as it turns out, when you dig your hole for someone else, you are very likely to fall into it as well. Smith jabbed Gray, and both of them spun. While the latter spun high into the corner, Smith collected his teammate, Justin Allgaier, handing the win over to Austin Hill. Things were so clear and vengeful that nobody could even call it ‘unintentional’!
In the words of Xfinity Series director Eric Peterson, “Unfortunately, what Sammy did was over the line and something that we feel like we had to react to. We would prefer to leave it in the driver’s hands, but in this case, it wasn’t really a racing move, and we reacted to it as such.” And this call echoed through all other divisions, including the Cup Series. So it felt more like Zane Smith’s comment, especially that last part, was uncalled for.
Because Alex Bowman’s frustration was rooted in the aggressive three-wide racing and the damage it caused. That’s very uncanny to think that he did it due to confusion over car numbers. Zane Smith’s outburst, while emblematic of NASCAR’s raw team radio culture, only added fuel to an already tense situation. It drew criticism from fans who felt the personal insult was unnecessary, and they went all in on the driver!
Fans roast Zane Smith after Kansas radio rant, pointing to on-track struggles
Zane Smith’s explicit radio outburst at Kansas quickly became a lightning rod for NASCAR fans, who didn’t hold back in their reactions online. Comments like “You mad? Bowman is better and always will be superior to you” and “Zane Smith is the little b—- lol” captured the tone of social media, as fans rallied behind Alex Bowman and took aim at Smith’s performance and attitude.
Some fans zeroed in on Smith’s aggressive racing decisions, with one writing, “Maybe learn to control your fucking race car @ZaneSmith and put it not middle three wide on lap 150 or whatever.” This criticism reflects frustration with Smith’s tendency to get caught up in risky situations on track, something that has contributed to his underwhelming results in 2025.
Another pointed jab, “You’re not used to being closer to the front than 25th, so it’s expected for you to drive over your head,” highlighted Smith’s ongoing struggles this season. After twelve races, Smith sits 23rd in the standings, with just one top-10 finish. He has an average finish of 18.8 and no top-fives or wins. His rookie campaign was similarly challenging, and despite a Truck Series championship in 2022, Smith has yet to find consistent success at the Cup level.
Fans also pointed out the context of the incident, noting, “The 11 wasn’t anywhere near them,” suggesting Smith’s radio jab at Bowman was not only uncalled for but also misplaced. Being at the topmost level, drivers are expected to balance emotion with awareness—something fans feel Smith hasn’t mastered yet.
As Smith tries to establish himself with Front Row Motorsports, the Kansas controversy raises a question. Can he channel this intensity into improved results? Or will fan scrutiny and on-track pressure continue to overshadow his Cup career? The upcoming All-Star race and the Coca-Cola 600 will provide some answers.
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