NASCAR Penalizes Zane Smith's No. 38 Team for Unapproved Adjustment

Crew chief ejected, driver to start at the back and serve drive-through penalty

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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Ahead of the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Phoenix on Saturday, Zane Smith's No. 38 team was found making an unapproved adjustment to the underbody of his car during practice and pre-qualifying. As a result, the team's crew chief, Will Norris, has been ejected from the race, and Zane Smith will have to start at the tail of the field and serve a drive-through penalty after taking the green flag.

Why it matters

This penalty highlights NASCAR's strict enforcement of its rules and regulations, ensuring a level playing field for all teams. Unapproved adjustments can provide an unfair advantage, and NASCAR is committed to maintaining the integrity of the sport.

The details

The No. 38 team was caught making an unapproved adjustment to the underbody of Zane Smith's car during the pre-race preparations. This violation of NASCAR's rules has resulted in the ejection of the team's crew chief, Will Norris, and additional penalties for Zane Smith, who will have to start at the back of the field and serve a drive-through penalty after the race begins.

  • The incident occurred during practice and pre-qualifying adjustments on Saturday, March 7, 2026, ahead of the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Phoenix.

The players

Zane Smith

The driver of the No. 38 car in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series.

Will Norris

The crew chief for Zane Smith's No. 38 team, who has been ejected from the race due to the unapproved adjustment.

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What’s next

NASCAR will likely investigate the matter further and may impose additional penalties on the team if the violation is deemed more serious.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a reminder that NASCAR takes its rules and regulations seriously, and teams must ensure they are in full compliance to avoid penalties that can impact their performance and standings in the race.