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3w ago

NASCAR to Address Aggressive Driving After Martinsville Chaos

Following penalties for Sammy Smith and others, NASCAR plans a driver meeting at Darlington to confront racecraft concerns and enforce discipline.

Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, and Christopher Bell, driver of the #20 DEWALT Outdoors Toyota, lead the field on a pace lap prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway on March 30, 2025 in Martinsville, Virginia.
Sammy Smith, driver of the #8 Pilot Chevrolet, and Jeb Burton, driver of the #27 Celsius Chevrolet, spin after an on-track incident under caution to end the NASCAR Xfinity Series US Marine Corps 250 at Martinsville Speedway on March 29, 2025 in Martinsville, Virginia.
Sammy Smith, driver of the #8 Allstate Peterbilt Group Chevrolet, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Hard Rock Bet 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on March 22, 2025 in Homestead, Florida.
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Overview

  • Sammy Smith was penalized with a 50-point deduction and a $25,000 fine for causing a last-lap wreck at the Martinsville Xfinity Series race.
  • Taylor Gray and Jeb Burton were each fined $5,000 for inappropriate conduct at the infield care center after the race.
  • JR Motorsports has decided not to appeal Smith’s penalty, with Dale Earnhardt Jr. defending his driver and refusing to suspend him despite backlash.
  • Veteran drivers and fans have criticized the Martinsville race for its lack of respect and excessive aggressive driving, with 14 caution flags highlighting the chaos.
  • NASCAR has announced a driver-only meeting at Darlington Raceway on April 5 to address aggressive driving and improve race conduct moving forward.