The world of NASCAR is no stranger to intense moments. But when things go awry, it can leave fans both shocked and furious. Such was the case when a rising star recently signed by Trackhouse Racing found himself at the center of a shocking incident during the Truck Series race at Talladega Superspeedway.
The defending Truck Series champion Zane Smith, who recently secured a multi-year deal with Trackhouse Racing, found himself in the spotlight in Talladega. Being a part of the record-breaking $40-million charter purchase by Spire Motorsports has resulted in the young talent getting entrusted with a significant role. Notably, Smith has been loaned to Spire Motorsports, solidifying a strategic alliance between Trackhouse and Spire. However, the incident at Talladega will definitely raise a few eyebrows on his prowess behind the wheel.
Zane Smith spins his truck on the pit road and upends his pit crew member in a scary incident
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The racing world witnessed a spine-tingling incident during the Truck Series race at Talladega Superspeedway. Zane Smith, already on the radar of NASCAR fans as a future Cup Series driver, found himself at the center of an incident.
The incident that shocked the racing world occurred as Smith, driving the #38 Ford F-150 for Front Row Motorsports, was entering the pit road. His truck suddenly spun out of control, colliding with Charles Plank, a member of the #38 pit crew responsible for changing the rear tire. A heart-stopping moment ensued as Plank was launched into the air and landed hard on Smith’s truck.
Thankfully, despite the heart-stopping nature of the incident, Charles Plank emerged seemingly unscathed. He shared his thoughts with FOX Sports, detailing how he had successfully avoided getting trapped under the truck. He said, “I thought I could clear it, and I didn’t. But it looks like I almost cleared it, jumping over. I’m glad I made it on the deck lid instead of getting underneath it. We’re ready for the next stop.”
Smith’s Truck Series championship aspirations were derailed by this incident, adding further drama to the racing season. While his determination was evident, Smith’s bid to defend his championship title faced a significant setback.
"I thought I could clear it."- Charles Plank is an absolute legend. https://t.co/q8Te2m6huX pic.twitter.com/Rtu4gGlU63
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) September 30, 2023
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NASCAR fans are known for their unwavering passion and commitment to the sport. When FOX Sports shared footage of Zane Smith’s pit incident, fans couldn’t hold back their emotions.
NASCAR Fans call out Zane Smith for his reckless maneuver on the pit road
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The comments section of FOX Sports’ tweet quickly transformed into a platform for fans to vent their feelings. Although relieved that Charles Plank emerged unharmed, fans directed their fury towards Zane Smith for the dramatic pit incident.
.@ZaneSmith hits a crew member on pit entry @TALLADEGA.
Raw footage from behind pit wall. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/Vemb380hAm
— Peter Stratta (@peterstratta) September 30, 2023
Expressions of disbelief and disappointment dominated the comments. One fan bluntly questioned, “Who the f**k was driving? Could’ve injured that dude.” Others didn’t mince words, with comments like, “Zane Smith will be a bust!!!” and “Can’t even enter pit road correctly, and this bum is going to the Cup.” One fan just simply put his feelings into one word, “Reckless.”
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The incident ignited a fiery debate among fans, with many labeling Smith’s actions as reckless and raising doubts about his readiness for the Cup Series, while others simply admired the Plank’s dedication.
Back to work. pic.twitter.com/v22auIcOvo
— derrick johnson (@chs93dlj) September 30, 2023
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What are your thoughts about Zane Smith’s pit incident? Do you think he is ready for a Cup Series ride? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.