Zane Smith disqualified for windshield support violation after Homestead-Miami playoff race

After the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Playoff race at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Zane Smith has been disqualified for a windshield violation. The windshield on Smith’s truck was visibly flexing during the race, drawing attention from fans watching at home and in the stands in Miami.

Carson Hocevar ended up winning the race and Zane Smith was P2. Smith had to win to advance to Phoenix for the Championship 4. While this DQ moves drivers up one spot, it will not change who made the Championship 4 race.

Since Nick Sanchez and Ben Rhodes are tied on points after the DQ, Rhodes still advances over Sanchez.

Had Zane Smith won this race, it would have been heartbreaking to find out he had an illegal truck and get DQ’d then. A tough end to a tough day in Miami for Smith.

NEWS: The No. 38 truck has been disqualified following post-race inspection at @HomesteadMiami for violation of the windshield support rule, per the NASCAR Rule Book.

The No. 38 truck will return to the R&D Center.

— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) October 21, 2023

NASCAR doesn’t take these DQs lightly. The No. 38 truck is going to go to the R&D Center. I suspect that NASCAR will try and determine why the windshield was flexing. Whether or not it was an intentional violation or just an accidental one.

Depending on what NASCAR finds in their inspection at the R&D Center, we may see a penalty or a fine for the No. 38 Front Row Motorsports team.

Carson Hocevar keeps Zane Smith out of Phoenix

Before we knew that this DQ was coming, we knew one thing – Carson Hocevar kept Zane Smith from winning. That means Smith had no chance to advance to the Championship 4. Had Smith won this race, things would have been really awkward.

Instead, we are going to see Hocevar battle with Corey Heim, Grant Enfinger, and Ben Rhodes. Rhodes is a former champion and could get his second in just three years. Enfinger is back in the championship race once again.

You could argue that few drivers have been as hot as Heim and Hocevar in the last month or so. However, it’s the championship. Anything can happen. Two young guys and two veterans of the series, it’s going to be a tough battle for all four of these teams and drivers.

Zane Smith is going to head to the Cup Series with just a single Truck Series championship to his name. He will be meeting Carson Hocevar there in 2024 as well as drivers like John Hunter Nemechek, Josh Berry, and other new names to the field.