NASCAR’s Chandler Smith slaps Cole Custer as tensions boil over with pit crew

Joe Gibbs Racing driver Chandler Smith threw a punch at Stewart-Haas Racing’s Cole Custer after a heated argument, as the pair traded paint during Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoff race. Smith was seen approaching Custer after the race, but he lost his cool as he slapped his rival in the face before pit crews stepped in.
The bad blood stemmed from a tense moment in the race at Martinsville when Smith attempted to pass Custer but was shunted wide. Ultimately, the move ended up hurting both drivers as they lost track position, but Smith refused to move on and was keen to “beat” Custer after the race.
“What he’s (Cole Custer) going to do is get his ——- — beat after the race he keeps ——- around. Punk — —–,” Smith said ahead of approaching Custer. Smith’s attempted slap barely connected with Custer, and while pit crews jumped to his defense, he walked off with a smile.
“I can’t even tell if he punched me in the face, it was so soft,” Custer told reporters after the incident, mocking Smith for his efforts. It was a double blow for Smith, who missed out on a place in the Championship 4 while Custer advanced.
Custer is looking to defend his Xfinity Series championship at Phoenix Raceway on Nov. 9, while Smith now has no title to chase. Smith’s future is also unclear, as his contract ends after Sunday’s race and he is yet to be signed for 2025.
Smith is still only 22 but has hinted that he could retire despite once being hailed as a top NASCAR prospect. Smith said ahead of Martinsville that he wouldn’t hold back due to his uncertain future, and followed through with his promise after clashing with Custer.
During an interview with Fox Sports ahead of Saturday’s race, Smith said: “Well, I don’t have a ride next year. I could be working for my dad’s construction business and I could be hanging it up at the end of this year. So, that being said, all craps will not be given at Martinsville.”
Smith’s main issue is sponsorships, as the lack of financial support in NASCAR means that drivers require funding in addition to their skills behind the wheel. “It’s not really any seats left open. The only seats left open you gotta bring a big, big pocketbook with you and I don’t have a big pocketbook,” Smith added.
Throughout his racing career, Smith has achieved five wins in the Craftsman Truck Series and three in the Xfinity Series. He has also remained consistent, recording 20 finishes inside the top 10 over 40 races.