The ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith has somehow managed to unite the entirety of NASCAR against him. His one statement about NASCAR drivers not being athletes has drawn in critics from many drivers, including Joey Logano. However, Smith has now clapped back at Logano on his show. 

When Smith made that comment on his morning show, Joey Logano responded by saying that Smith was trying to stay "relevant." On his “Mad Dog Sports Radio" show on SiriusXM on Monday, Smith said, “Do I look like somebody that needs to be relevant? I am relevant.

"I have a show that airs nationwide every weekday for two hours on radio after I have a national number one morning show on television or two hours every day for the last 14 years. What are you talking about? This is the problem. Can we grow up? Can we grow up?” 

Smith's claim about being already relevant is backed by his media footprint. His show First Take has been one of the most-watched daily sports debate shows. He simultaneously hosts the daily national radio shows as well.

“Let me speak to Mr. Joey Logano, I don’t know you from a can of paint,” Smith further added. “Why can’t I just have an opinion about NASCAR? Why do I have to be doing it to stay relevant?

And then, Logano responded to that as well.

Joey Logano takes a jab at Stephen A. Smith after NASCAR comments

During the pre-race event at Talladega, the three-time NASCAR champion was questioned about the ongoing debate about whether NASCAR drivers are real athletes.

While talking to Frontstretch, the driver responded, saying, "I think people like that have to make comments to stay relevant. I mean, that's like part of their game is they got to make big moments and things so people watch and so he got exactly what he wanted, right? He got you talking about it, whole industry talking about it, now he's relevant, so I mean, I don't put much weight into it personally because he's never driven a race car." 

"I personally believe that we're athletes because the mental aspect is important. Obviously, the physical piece is very challenging inside the race car that not many people could understand," he added. 

NASCAR is a sport that is mentally and physically taxing, as drivers have to spend 3-4 hours strapped in the car while the temperatures keep rising inside the car. The race drivers might not fit the traditional mold of an athlete, but the work that goes into preparing for a race says otherwise.

And Smith might not know Logano “from a can of paint," but he sure has some stats that back him up. In the 622 races so far, he has had 37 wins and has 302 top 10s. In 2023, Joey Logano was also named one of NASCAR’s 75 greatest drivers.

Read more at RFK Racing Digest!

Written by

Chionia Libania Colaco

Edited by

Suyashdeep Sason