The war of words between Stephen A. Smith and NASCAR just shifted into high gear. The ESPN loudmouth is back at it, doubling down on his claim that NASCAR drivers aren't real athletes—and this time, he's got a target on his back from one of the sport's biggest names.
It all started last week when Smith, during a segment on his radio show, dismissed the idea that drivers belong in the same conversation as LeBron James. "Getting behind the wheel of a car is not the same," Smith ranted. "You can be behind the wheel of a car in your 60s and 70s, for crying out loud. A golfer is not an athlete. A NASCAR driver is not an athlete." He went on to say that drivers are "skilled players" but not athletes, because "grandmas and grandpas can do" what they do.
Those comments didn't sit well with the NASCAR community, especially two-time Cup Series champion Joey Logano. Logano didn't hold back when asked about Smith's hot take. "People like that have to make comments to stay relevant," Logano said. "I mean, that’s part of their game, right? They gotta make big moments so people watch. He got exactly what he wanted—he got you talking about it, the whole industry talking about it. Now he’s relevant."
But Smith wasn't about to let Logano get the last word. On Monday, the ESPN personality fired back directly at the driver. "Let me speak directly to Mr. Joey Logano, I don’t know you from a can of paint," Smith said. "Why can’t I just have an opinion about NASCAR? Why do I have to be doing it to stay relevant? My television show has been No. 1 in the morning for 14 straight years. I’m on television and radio and my career spans 30 years."
Smith wasn't done. He took a swipe at Logano's suggestion that he needs to stir up controversy to keep his job. "What do you mean? 'To get a job' or 'to keep a job.' Check the news. Google me. I don’t have that concern. I’ve been blessed by God enough not to have that concern… Do I look like somebody that needs to be relevant? I am relevant."
This isn't the first time Smith has taken heat for his takes—just last month, he was under fire for a comment to a WNBA star. But this feud with NASCAR feels different. It's personal, it's public, and it's not going away anytime soon. NASCAR announcer Mike Joy also chimed in, firing back at Smith's "not athletes" claim, adding fuel to the fire.
For Smith, this is just another day at the office. He's built a career on bold opinions, and he's not about to apologize for this one. But for NASCAR drivers, who endure extreme heat, G-forces, and split-second decisions at 200 mph, being called "not athletes" stings. Bubba Wallace, known for his post-race honesty, might have something to say next.
Whether you side with Smith or the drivers, one thing's for sure: this feud is far from over. And with both sides refusing to back down, it's only going to get louder.
