Multiple NASCAR drivers had heated conversations on the pit lane after the race at Kansas Speedway
On Saturday, the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series playoffs began. The 1.5-mile of Kansas Speedway hosted the opening round.
All day, Cole Custer has a long run car while Chandler Smith had a short run car. And a restart in the closing laps, brought on a battle for the win between the playoff drivers.
Watch the Cole Custer vs Chandler Smith videos below.
With 45 laps to go, Chandler Smith ran down the bumper of Custer. They ran side by side and Smith nearly cleared him off turn four. He closed the door prematurely. Custer was forced to lift and he still made light contact with the outside wall.
Custer stated over the radio, “He’s done.”
With just 20 to go, the cars began to shift. Custer now had the faster car and he spent several laps trying to reclaim the lead. He ran down the bumper of Smith and passed him with only light door contact down the frontstretch.
However, Aric Almirola had a faster car than both of them and took the lead with under 5 to go.
After the race, Custer was still fuming. He walked over to say a few words. But, it was only a few as Custer wasn’t looking to talk. As Smith attempted to talk it out, Custer walked away and waved off the conversation.
Kansas Results: September 28, 2024 (NASCAR Xfinity Series)
Cole Custer comments on Chandler Smith
“It really made me mad when he put us in the fence on that restart,” Cole Custer told NBC Sports after the race.
“He’s going to pay the consequences for that. And I’m going to race him like he races me.”
“They’re going to pay for their consequences. Everybody wants to try and talk, have some words. At the end of the day, he put me in the fence and he’s going to pay for it.”
Chandler Smith comments
“I definitely understand his position,” Chandler Smith stated.
“This is also the guy I’m racing for a championship. So, I gotta be a little more aggressive, in a sense of taking his air away.”
“There was a few times he got really close. But, I never felt like he was there. There enough to where I would give a whole lane.”
“I need to go back and watch the replay. Because if he did get all the way to my right rear, he could have right reared me and lifted for me, I need to go apologize. Because, that’s not fun. I’ve been in those shoes.”
“But, not seeing an interview, that never happened. He’s got a very valid statement, I understand. But, I also wouldn’t change what I did for the best shot to win.”
Note: It sounds like Smith was unaware of the contact on the restart and thought Custer was mad for something that didn’t occur in the final laps.
NASCAR Xfinity Series standings after Kansas
