After a year of bad luck, the prospect of a strong finish was too tempting for Michael McDowell to ignore. At Watkins Glen, McDowell was determined to finally break into the top five at the 2.5-mile road course. Despite his impressive speed, he found his plans thwarted when a rival blocked his path.

McDowell’s hopes were high, especially with Zane Smith—whom he will replace in Spire Motorsports—looking to make a statement. This tension led to an off-track altercation between the two drivers, as reported by a NASCAR insider.

The McDowell-Smith face-off at the Glen

Go Bowling at The Glen was a chaotic race overall. Many playoff hopefuls shattered their chances—reigning Cup champion Ryan Blaney got wrecked out on lap 1, ending up with an early DNF. Denny Hamlin battered his No. 11 Toyota while trying to make it through the track’s renowned series of turns called the esses. On the flip side, non-playoff drivers also tried to manipulate the top grid, including Michael McDowell. But he found Smith trying to topple him from his speed towards the end.

With just 30 laps to go, Michael McDowell seized the lead and flaunted it for 10 or so laps. Then, as Joey Logano took the race lead, the FRM driver fell back. Very soon, McDowell’s progress took a hit again as Zane Smith ran his No. 71 Chevy side-by-side with the No. 34 Ford. The two traded paint and sparks for a while until Smith charged ahead. At the end of the race, McDowell finished P7 while Smith got away with a top-five. But McDowell was not down yet, as he confronted Smith on the pit road in a video posted by Toby Christie.

In the video, it’s clear that McDowell is questioning the on-track tactics to which Zane Smith is responding (with some evident actions).

The conversation between the two was muffled. However, from the flailing arms of Michael McDowell, you can see that he was not too happy.

Both drivers ran poorly this season; McDowell currently ranks 23rd in points with 7 top-tens and 2 top-fives. In the meantime, Zane Smith is in dire straits. The Cup Series rookie fared miserably, clinching just 3 top-tens and 2 top-fives, with only 3 laps led in the entire season. He was driving a loan to Spire Motorsports from Trackhouse Racing, but even the latter team ejected him recently. Meanwhile, Spire favors McDowell, so tensions may be rife between the two drivers for some time.

Both sides are caving in on Smith

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Zane Smith may have gotten a little aggressive with Michael McDowell at the Glen. However, the outgoing No. 71 Chevy driver has got it tough right now. Smith effectively lost his 71 rides in May when McDowell announced his shift into Spire Motorsports. The Cup Series rookie could not perform well, except for his impressive runner-up finish at Nashville. So later in August, even Trackhouse snapped its ties with Smith, leaving the former Truck Series champion to fend for himself in unknown waters.

Trackhouse stated, “Trackhouse Racing and Zane Smith have mutually agreed to separate at the conclusion of the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season, allowing the 25-year-old former NASCAR Truck Series champion to immediately accept other opportunities.” 

Spire president Doug Duchardt’s endorsement of two-time Cup Series winner McDowell also did not help. He said, “Michael McDowell is a proven winner and brings a NASCAR Playoff pedigree,” and added that “he has always been committed to elevate his teams. His experience and enthusiasm are a perfect fit for Spire Motorsports.” 

Hints are riding about Smith’s incorporation with FRM, but a huge obstacle exists at present. 23XI Racing and FRM have taken arms against NASCAR’s new charter deal, as they are still negotiating. So Smith’s rumored 2025 seat now looks even more blurry.

Evidently, Zane Smith got into a desperate mode at Watkins Glen. Let us hope for a secure ride for the promising rookie.