Michael McDowell fired back at anyone comparing his post-race incident at Charlotte with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. to the one involving Zane Smith and Carson Hocevar at Phoenix. McDowell’s comments come after NASCAR penalized Smith $50,000 for his actions last Sunday at Phoenix.
During the cool-down lap of last Sunday’s Freeway Insurance 500, Smith rammed into the back of Hocevar’s No. 77 Chevrolet in retaliation for previous on-track contact. As a result, Smith was penalized by NASCAR.
One race prior, McDowell and Stenhouse Jr. tangled after the checkered flag at Charlotte. Stenhouse side-swiped McDowell’s No. 71 Chevrolet, to which the latter retaliated by spinning out Stenhouse’s No. 47 Chevrolet.
Despite the post-race incident, neither driver received a penalty.
Michael McDowell Fires Back at Zane Smith Comparisons
Despite the post-race incident, neither driver received a penalty.
In the wake of NASCAR penalizing Smith, one obvious question was raised.
How did McDowell and Stenhouse avoid penalties?
In an X response to motorsports reporter Jeff Gluck, McDowell said his mind is blown that some are comparing what happened between him and Stenhouse to Smith and Hocevar’s scuffle.
“How about we use our brains here and realize that rubbing doors in 1st gear at 40mph is different than smashing someone at 130 mph. The fact that this has to be explained is mind blowing to me,” McDowell wrote via X.
How about we use our brains here and realize that rubbing doors in 1st gear at 40mph is different than smashing someone at 130 mph. The fact that this has to be explained is mind blowing to me.
— Michael McDowell (@Mc_Driver) October 20, 2026
During a cool-down lap after a race, drivers are expected to slow their cars down to a reasonable speed and make it back to pit road safely. Given that some drivers will lower their window nets or even remove their seat belts on a cool-down period, any post-race antics could be dangerous.
While the McDowell/Stenhouse incident would not be considered safe in some eyes, NASCAR obviously saw Smith ramming into the back of Hocevar at a decent rate of speed as more of a safety hazard.
Therefore, Smith was penalized, and McDowell was not.
Michael McDowell in Second Full-Time Season With Spire Motorsports
For the second year in a row, McDowell has been behind the wheel of the No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet. Unfortunately for the two-time Cup Series winner, the 2026 campaign has not played out as well for him as it has his teammates.
Both Carson Hocevar and Daniel Suarez have scored wins in 2026 and both made the Chase. Meanwhile, McDowell failed to make the 16-driver Chase and ranks 20th in the points standings with three races remaining.
McDowell is expected to return to the No. 71 in 2027.