NASCAR Cup Phoenix
NASCAR penalizes Zane Smith, ejects car chief after unapproved adjustments
The #38 Front Row Motorsports Ford will have a lot of ground to make up on Sunday
Nick DeGroot
Edited: Mar 8, 2026, 2:41 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Zane Smith, No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford
Photo by: Meg Oliphant / Getty Images
While all cars passed inspection at the start of the Phoenix NASCAR Cup weekend, an issue has arisen involving the #38 Front Row Motorsports Ford, driven by Zane Smith.
The team "was observed making an unapproved adjustment to the underbody during practice/pre-qualifying adjustments," a NASCAR statement released on Saturday evening read.
As a result, the car was inspected once again, and failed. The Sanctioning Body has ejected car chief Will Norris for the remainder of the weekend, and the team is facing further penalties.
Smith qualified 24th, but he will now have to start from the rear of the field. He will also have to perform a pass-through penalty after taking the green flag, which is likely to put the #38 car a lap down.
It's an unfortunate setback for the 'Aaron's Dream Machine,' as Smith entered this race 14th in the championship standings.
Smith started the year with back-to-back top ten finishes, placing sixth in the Daytona 500 and seventh at Atlanta. He could have done it again at COTA, but was involved in an incident on the final restart and finished 33rd. Smith finished ninth in this race at Phoenix, one year ago.
Photos from Phoenix - Qualifying
Phoenix - Saturday, in photos
Phoenix - Saturday, in photos
Phoenix - Saturday, in photos
Phoenix - Saturday, in photos
Phoenix - Saturday, in photos
Phoenix - Saturday, in photos
Phoenix - Saturday, in photos
Phoenix - Saturday, in photos
Phoenix - Saturday, in photos
Phoenix - Saturday, in photos
Phoenix - Saturday, in photos
Phoenix - Saturday, in photos
Phoenix - Saturday, in photos
Phoenix - Saturday, in photos
Phoenix - Saturday, in photos
Phoenix - Saturday, in photos
Phoenix - Saturday, in photos
Phoenix - Saturday, in photos
Phoenix - Saturday, in photos
Phoenix - Saturday, in photos
Phoenix - Saturday, in photos
Phoenix - Saturday, in photos
Phoenix - Saturday, in photos
Phoenix - Saturday, in photos
Phoenix - Saturday, in photos
Phoenix - Saturday, in photos
Phoenix - Saturday, in photos
Phoenix - Saturday, in photos
Phoenix - Saturday, in photos
Phoenix - Saturday, in photos
Phoenix - Saturday, in photos
Phoenix - Saturday, in photos
Phoenix - Saturday, in photos
Phoenix - Saturday, in photos
Phoenix - Saturday, in photos
Phoenix - Saturday, in photos
Phoenix - Saturday, in photos
NASCAR Cup
37
Read Also:
NASCAR CupNASCAR Cup Phoenix practice and qualifying suggests promising race
NASCAR Cup2026 NASCAR Cup at Phoenix full starting lineup: Joey Logano on pole
NASCAR CupComplete NASCAR Cup points standings after COTA 2026
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Joe Gibbs Racing had Chris Gabehart followed by a private investigator before lawsuit
Next article Official race results: 2026 NASCAR Cup at Phoenix I
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Nick DeGroot
WSJ Report: NASCAR is building 80+ race cars for Days of Thunder sequel
NASCAR Cup
NASCAR Cup 6 h
WSJ Report: NASCAR is building 80+ race cars for Days of Thunder sequel
Brennan Poole to leave Alpha Prime Racing; team owners 'disappointed' to see him go
NASCAR O'Reilly
NASCAR O'Reilly
Charlotte II
16 h
Brennan Poole to leave Alpha Prime Racing; team owners 'disappointed' to see him go
9/11 after 25 years: How NASCAR went back racing following September 11 attacks
Feature
NASCAR Cup
Feature
NASCAR Cup
9/11 after 25 years: How NASCAR went back racing following September 11 attacks
More from
Zane Smith
Winners and losers from a sensational NASCAR Cup race at Daytona
NASCAR Cup
NASCAR Cup
Daytona II
Winners and losers from a sensational NASCAR Cup race at Daytona
Zane Smith wrecks out of Daytona lead: "I didn't even get a shot to survive"
NASCAR Cup
NASCAR Cup
Daytona II
Zane Smith wrecks out of Daytona lead: "I didn't even get a shot to survive"
Zane Smith shares story of 'full-circle moment' earning Kyle Busch's respect
NASCAR Cup
NASCAR Cup
Zane Smith shares story of 'full-circle moment' earning Kyle Busch's respect
More from
Front Row Motorsports
Jake Garcia signs with Front Row Motorsports for 2027 NASCAR Truck season
NASCAR Truck
NASCAR Truck
Kansas
Jake Garcia signs with Front Row Motorsports for 2027 NASCAR Truck season
Layne Riggs wins NASCAR Truck New Hampshire race amid nail-bitting Chase battle
NASCAR Truck
NASCAR Truck
New Hampshire
Layne Riggs wins NASCAR Truck New Hampshire race amid nail-bitting Chase battle
Noah Gragson confirms contract extension with Front Row Motorsports
NASCAR Cup
NASCAR Cup
Richmond
Noah Gragson confirms contract extension with Front Row Motorsports
Latest news
Christian Horner clears air on “dream job” Ferrari rumours and sets return terms
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Singapore GP
7 min
Christian Horner clears air on “dream job” Ferrari rumours and sets return terms
Adrien Fourmaux confident of WRC drive despite 2027 uncertainty
WRC
WRC WRC 28 min
Adrien Fourmaux confident of WRC drive despite 2027 uncertainty
Ducati rubbishes claim 2026 MotoGP bike built specifically for Marc Marquez
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Indonesian GP
49 min
Ducati rubbishes claim 2026 MotoGP bike built specifically for Marc Marquez
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe