Tire from Kyle Busch's car hits Connor Zilisch's vehicle at Martinsville

Zilisch says he was 'smoked by a tire' in NASCAR Cup Series race incident

Mar. 29, 2026 at 8:35pm

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A cubist, geometric painting in vibrant colors depicting a NASCAR race scene fractured into overlapping planes, conceptually representing the chaos and unpredictability of a tire striking another car.A flying tire from Kyle Busch's car strikes the vehicle of rookie driver Connor Zilisch, exposing the unpredictable dangers of NASCAR competition.Martinsville Today

During a NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway, a tire flew off Kyle Busch's car and struck the vehicle of rookie driver Connor Zilisch, causing damage to Zilisch's No. 88 car. Zilisch reported the incident over his team radio, saying he had been 'smoked by a tire' in the incident.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the dangers and unpredictable nature of NASCAR racing, where equipment failures and debris on the track can quickly impact other drivers. As a rookie, Zilisch is facing a steep learning curve in his first full season in the Cup Series.

The details

While on pit road during the race, a tire came loose from Kyle Busch's car and went flying, striking the side of Connor Zilisch's vehicle. Zilisch reported the incident over his team radio, saying 'I got smoked by a tire there'.

  • The incident occurred during the NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway on March 29, 2026.

The players

Kyle Busch

A veteran NASCAR Cup Series driver who experienced a tire failure that led to the incident.

Connor Zilisch

A rookie NASCAR Cup Series driver whose car was struck by the loose tire from Busch's vehicle.

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What they’re saying

“I got smoked by a tire there.”

— Connor Zilisch, NASCAR Cup Series Driver

The takeaway

This incident serves as a reminder of the inherent risks and unpredictability of NASCAR racing, where equipment failures and debris can quickly impact drivers, especially those new to the sport like Connor Zilisch. It highlights the importance of safety protocols and the need for experienced drivers to exercise caution to protect their fellow competitors.