Tempers ran high during Sunday night’s NASCAR All-Star Race events at North Wilkesboro Speedway as Cup Series drivers Ty Dillon and Zane Smith found themselves at odds following the conclusion of the All-Star Open.
Dillon secured a third-place finish in the qualifying race, six positions ahead of Smith. However, neither driver advanced to the main All-Star Race, as Carson Hocevar and John Hunter Nemechek claimed the top two spots and the opportunity to compete for the $1 million prize.
Following the race, Dillon expressed frustration with Smith’s on-track conduct, suggesting that the younger driver’s actions may have cost him a chance at the final. Speaking to Dirty Mo Media, Dillon described a particular moment coming out of Turn 4 that left him agitated.
“I think I gave him plenty of room coming off Turn 4, and he just ran into me halfway down the straightaway,” Dillon said. “There’s something about the younger guys in the sport now—they’ve never really had to deal with consequences.”
He added, “So, what I told him was if he wrecks me again, I’m just going to beat his a–.”
Smith offered a brief rebuttal on social media platform X, responding: “Ain’t beating nobody’s a–.”
The incident has added an extra layer of intrigue heading into the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, one of the NASCAR Cup Series’ most high-profile races. Observers will be watching closely to see whether any further conflict arises between the two drivers.
Entering the upcoming race, Smith holds the advantage in the Cup Series standings, currently sitting 22nd compared to Dillon’s 30th-place ranking.
Christopher Bell went on to win the All-Star Race and collect the $1 million payout.
