Stephen A. Smith is being called out following the death of NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch this weekend.
Busch, 41, died last week. He died as a result of pneumonia and sepsis. Busch, a two-time Cup Series champion, leaves behind a wife, Samantha, and their two children.
Advertisement
Smith previously sparked a controversy, when he claimed that NASCAR drivers don’t deserve to be mentioned in the same category as all-time athletes from other sports, like basketball and football.
“Come on, man. That don’t count. You driving a car!” Smith said when asked about NASCAR drivers and their place among all-time athletes. “You can drive a car at 75 years old.”
Nov 3, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith looks on before the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Arizona Cardinals at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images© Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Smith has stood by his comments, despite being criticized by much of the NASCAR world for what he said.
Advertisement
In the wake of Busch’s death, an Orlando columnist, Mike Bianchi, is calling out Smith for his comments on NASCAR drivers as a whole.
Smith faces public scrutiny for his comments on NASCAR drivers
Smith wasn’t specifically talking about Busch, of course, but the columnist is still calling him out in the wake of the NASCAR driver’s tragic death.
He accused Smith of making “insulting” and “provocative” statements on NASCAR drivers to stir up reaction.
Advertisement
“Kyle Busch was coughing, sick and struggling physically, yet he still climbed into a race car because that’s what NASCAR drivers do. They don’t sit out because they’re tired. Unlike NBA players, they don’t embrace “load management.” Unlike pro golfers, they don’t take a week off because the schedule is inconvenient. No, they go to work because fans, sponsors and TV networks pay them to put on a show. And the show must go on,” he wrote.
“So they race no matter what. And that’s what makes Stephen A. Smith’s comments so insulting.”
Smith, of course, was doing what he always does – stirring up debate. But it’s more than fair for the NASCAR world to push back – hard.
This story was originally published by The Spun on May 31, 2026, where it first appeared in the NASCAR section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Read the full article here