NASCAR Driver Dismisses Fatal Threat Ahead of the All Star Race

NASCAR’s history is filled with legendary feuds and unforgettable throwdowns on the pit road. Who can forget the wild brawl between Jeff Gordon and Clint Bowyer’s crews in the garage in 2012? Jeff Gordon wrecked Clint Bowyer intentionally, setting off the stage for the fight. Consequence? Gordon was fined $100,000, docked 25 points in the drivers’ standings, and placed on probation until the end of the year. But the Hendrick driver was clear: “I take responsibility for my actions on the racetrack. I accept NASCAR’s decision and look forward to ending the season on a high note at Homestead,” he said. But as times have evolved, not every beef turns into a full-on brawl anymore.

In the recent NASCAR All-Star race, things went south for Ty Dillon and Zane Smith. Tempers flared in the lead-up, and the drama began after an on-track run-in during the Open, where Dillon felt he’d been wronged. Coming off Turn 4, Dillon believed he gave Smith plenty of room, only to be “doored” halfway down the straightaway. The contact was enough to spark a heated post-race interview. While one driver used strong words for the opponent, the other seemed to care less.

Being at the receiving end, Ty Dillon didn’t hold back. “If he wrecks me again, I’m just going to beat his a–,” he declared, echoing the kind of old-school threats that once led to famous pit road brawls. The message was clear. Dillon wasn’t going to let himself be pushed around, and he wanted the garage to know it. It was a classic NASCAR warning, the kind that gets fans buzzing and keeps tensions simmering.

But Zane Smith’s response was as modern as it gets. When asked about Dillon’s threat, he shrugged it off with a simple, dismissive retort: “Ain’t beating nobody’s a–.” No bravado, no escalation, just a cool and confident brush-off. Not in person. But on the social media platform, X. Smith’s attitude signaled a new kind of NASCAR driver, one who isn’t easily rattled by threats or caught up in the drama. Instead of feeding the fire, Smith poured water on it. He made it clear he wasn’t interested in turning words into fists.

“If he wrecks me again I’m just going to beat his ass.”

Ty Dillon is not happy with Zane Smith pic.twitter.com/POyYdGh7li

— Dirty Mo Media (@DirtyMoMedia) May 18, 2025

This exchange highlights how the culture of the sport is changing. While the passion and intensity remain, today’s drivers are just as likely to defuse a situation as they are to escalate it. Zane Smith’s calm response may have disappointed fans hoping for fireworks, but it also showed maturity and focus. As for Dillon and Smith, it seems like Smith currently has the upper hand, both on and off the track. He currently sits 22nd in the standings, while Ty Dillon trails back in 30th, 39 points behind after 12 races. But, do you know what’s interesting? It is not the first ‘Smith’ who fought with Ty Dillon.

It was August 9, 2015. NASCAR Xfinity Series’ Zippo 200 at Watkins Glen International was at full throttle! The No. 7 Chevrolet Camaro SS for JR Motorsports, driven by now-analyst for FOX, Regan Smith, was battling for a lead with the No. 33 driver, Paul Menard. The two-wide pack rallied up behind them when suddenly Ty Dillon changed his file, bumping Smith in the back. This took Regan’s Championship chance away with a serious spin on track, ending up in the grass, as the RCR No. 33 proceeded to lead a few more laps. And trackside was a ring that day!

With tensions flaring, Regan Smith walked up to Ty Dillon’s car, and as the words started, he grabbed Dillon’s firesuit collar. Dragging each other towards the center of the track, they fought. Team members came to separate them, and Regan threw off Ty’s cap. And they were separated. It was not many days later in October, JR Motorsports announced that the No. 7 car was going with a new full-time driver, Justin Allgaier. Regan was a part-time driver and never really had another opportunity to settle the score. So, this time, things will get much more interesting.

Fans await to see whether this tension simmers down or sparks again as the season progresses. NASCAR has a long memory. Rivalries (no matter how subtle) tend to resurface when the stakes are high and tempers run hot. Whether it’s a quiet detour or a ticking time bomb, the Dillon-Smith dynamic is now one to watch every time they line up on the grid.

Christopher Bell outduels Logano to win the 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race

Christopher Bell delivered a clutch performance at North Wilkesboro, winning the 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race after a dramatic late-race duel with Joey Logano. The 250-lap event, run on the 0.625-mile short track, featured 23 drivers battling for the $1 million prize.

Bell started on the outside of the front row after winning his heat race, with Brad Keselowski on pole. The early stages saw Logano and Bell trading the lead. Logano was out front at Lap 90 and Bell close behind, just 0.7 seconds back. A competition caution at Lap 101 bunched up the field. And after pit stops, Bell emerged ahead of Logano, Elliott, and Blaney.

The race’s pivotal moment came after a caution at Lap 114. Ross Chastain and Austin Cindric tangled on the backstretch. On the restart at Lap 121, Bell led the field. However, Logano fought back and retook the top spot by Lap 125. The two swapped the lead multiple times, but Bell made his decisive move in the final 10 laps. With 10 to go, Bell surged past Logano and never looked back, holding on to win by 0.829 seconds.

Ross Chastain finished third, 1.126 seconds behind Bell, followed by Alex Bowman and Chase Elliott. The top five were separated by just over two seconds at the finish. Bell led the final 10 laps, sealing his first career All-Star Race victory and delivering a major win for Joe Gibbs Racing.

Bell’s composed driving and well-timed moves under pressure made the difference. The question now is whether this All-Star triumph will spark a summer surge for Bell in the regular season.

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