Cole Custer and Chandler Smith have a history. After the Sept. 28 Xfinity Series race in Kansas, the Stewart-Haas Racing driver didn’t like the way the No. 81 pilot had driven against him late, confronted him on pit road and the pair exchanged words before walking away.
On Saturday at Martinsville, it happened again.
With 31 laps remaining, the Joe Gibbs Racing car bumped the rear of the No. 00 car several times going into the corner, sending him up the track, before making the pass. It’s not an uncommon move at The Paper Clip.
Following a caution a few laps later, the 2023 Xfinity champ returned the favor on the subsequent restart with 24 laps to go when he lined up directly behind the JGR car and drove into the rear of the Toyota, sending it up the track.
With those late aggressive moves, the cameras were focused on the drivers of the Nos. 81 and 00 moments after they had finished third and fourth, respectively, and parked on pit road.
When Smith exited his car, he walked straight to Custer a few feet away. The pair once again exchanged heated words for several seconds before the JGR driver threw a single punch and officials intervened.