There was some fan base consternation over NASCAR’s decision to fine Zane Smith $50,000 for driving into the back of Carson Hocevar immediately after the checkered flag on Sunday at Phoenix Raceway.
The argument, in some corners of the internet, was that the decision to penalize Smith was inconsistent from recent NASCAR decisions to not penalize drivers for such infractions. For example, Michael McDowell was not penalized for intentionally spinning Ricky Stenhouse Jr. after they slammed doors on the cool down lap two weeks ago at Charlotte Motor Speedway.