While things were already fuming hot with the recent controversies and debates in the NASCAR world following the races in Phoenix and Atlanta, things were literally on fire in the victory lane after the NASCAR Truck Series race in COTA!
Fans witnessed an exciting race that later saw the victory celebration going up in flames for Zane Smith.
Zane Smith clinched the victory over Kyle Busch who was going strong till stage 2. Yet in an exciting race that saw positions shifting unexpectedly, Smith outpaced Kyle in the last leg of the race and prevailed.
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After a heated race, the victory celebration also had a fiery blaze to it
The last race at the Circuit of The Americas was quite eventful, in a track that is infamous for its swells and bumpy course, the Front Row Motorsports driver emerged victorious.
Following his victory at COTA, Smith went on to celebrate his win by smoking his tires and doing the customary burnout. And here’s where things got out of control for the driver.
Smith performed the burnout but took the victory gesture a bit too far. By the time the driver climbed out of his #38 Ford truck, both his back tires had gone up in flames.
Burned 'em down … literally … 🔥👀 pic.twitter.com/FVhkCy953W
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 25, 2023
Fox, the official broadcaster of the race, shared the clip on Twitter, captioned, “Burned ’em down… literally…” Fans took the opportunity to bash the league’s safety measures as the authorities were on the scene after a while with the truck still burning.
The guy in the Orange was standing around what the h#ll is he doing with a fire extinguisher it was apparent he had NO CLUE of how to use it. PLUS he did seem a little LAZY WAS IN NO HURRY.
— While Republicans do NOTHING (@JohnTuc72335789) March 25, 2023
Yo why did it take them so long to get there with the extinguishers
— Clay (@maybeclayfoster) March 25, 2023
I’m surprised the tires didn’t just come apart instead of catching fire
— Todd Savage (@bigMTfan) March 25, 2023
I hope I never have to rely on NASCAR's help in an emergency situation… Pitiful response time…
— Brent Rachal (@BrentRachal) March 26, 2023
Doesn't seem prudent to allow the Tires burn as long as the Safety Crew did. This wasn't a French Protest.
— You've Been Markled (@JJJ80723924) March 25, 2023
Zane Smith emerged victorious after a tough battle with Kyle Busch
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The race itself was a back-and-forth ordeal as top positions changed rapidly. While Ross Chastain won stage 1, Busch managed to win the second stage and resorted to a move that later cost him the race while Smith edged out the competition with a timely pit stop that became the decisive move.
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Smith and his team capitalized on the caution flag to be on the pit road on time and eventually secured the win in the final laps of the race. With the latest victory at COTA, Zane Smith becomes the only driver in the history of the sport to win back-to-back races at the Austin track.
WATCH THIS STORY: Bubba Wallace hilariously reacts to “R&D” claim after outrunning Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin in COTA.