Stephen A. Smith doesn’t apologize often – if ever. But the face of ESPN should when it comes to his comments on NASCAR drivers.
The face of ESPN’s “First Take” blasted NASCAR drivers earlier this spring, making it clear that he doesn’t consider them to be in the same class as athletes like NBA and NFL players. Smith made his comments on his radio show, when discussing some of the best athletes of all-time.
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“Come on, man. That don’t count. You driving a car!” Smith began, via Awful Announcing. “I’m being honest. It’s a great sport. But come on, bro. Getting behind the wheel of a car is not the same.
“You can be behind the wheel of a car in your 60s and 70s for crying out loud.”
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 added of golfers: “just because you gotta walk the course for 18 holes for four days, that don’t make you an athlete.”
But Smith is clearly not familiar with what he’s talking about.
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“If you don’t know anything about racing, just keep your opinion to yourself because you shouldn’t even have an opinion if you don’t know anything about a sport,” NASCAR announcer Kevin Harvick said.
“I think this is just instance where Stephen A. Smith is looking for clicks on something he knows absolutely nothing about what he’s talking about.”
Smith should apologize for what he said
Smith clearly doesn’t know what he’s talking about when it comes to NASCAR drivers. They are very much athletes. The strength, conditioning and mental focus that it takes to drive a powerful car at speeds greater than 200 MPH is something that Smith clearly is not familiar with.
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He obviously doesn’t respect the sport, which is perhaps understandable considering that he’s spent no time around it.
However, he should learn his lesson, and not talk about things that he doesn’t have a firm grasp on.
Smith should attend a NASCAR race or two – perhaps even get to sit in the passenger seat of a top-speed car – and realize what he was wrong about.
And then he should apologize.
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.
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