“I’m going to put him in the fence”: Cole Custer publicly warns Chandler Smith of payback after “frustrating” playoff opener

Cole Custer has lambasted his rival Chandler Smith after the latter left no room for the defending champion’s Chevy, leading it into the outside wall. As a result, the Stewart-Haas Racing driver publicly threatened the Joe Gibbs Racing driver with a payback.

The Kansas Lottery 300 marked the playoff opener race and saw Aric Almirola snapping the victory after getting “lucky” from the late race caution. Despite the Lap 124 tire cut shattering his prospects, the final caution on Lap 145 helped the #20 JGR driver reign supreme as the race stayed green for the remaining 49 laps.

Custer kicked off his run from third place and maintained his pace through both stages, eventually finishing the race in third position. However, with 45 laps until the checkered flag dropped, a fight for the lead against Chandler Smith ensued.

The 26-year-old led the pack but was constantly challenged by Smith. The duo fought for the lead, with the defending champion taking the outside line. Smith's #81 Toyota kept steering toward the outside, reducing the room for Custer, and thus, directing the #00 SHR Chevy into the outside wall.

Even though Custer saved himself from a bigger misery, he lost a lot of momentum and was “frustrated” because of it. While talking to Bob Pockrass, the SHR driver warned Smith of a payback.

"Definitely had a really fast car and if things fall our way, we could've won. Just burn our tires up getting past 81 (Smith). Really frustrated how he put me in the fence but moving on he'll pay consequences of that," Custer said (0:10).

"It’s great that he expects me to be mad. But he took that risk and now I’m going to put him in the fence,” the SHR drive added (0:37).

"You drove me like a f***ing clown": Cole Custer lashes f-bombs as he confronts Chandler Smith for the final stage incident

Cole Custer clinched the 2023 Xfinity Series title and has been strong in the current season. The #00 Chevy driver has bagged two wins, 12 top-5s, and 19 top-10s so far, being at the top the driver's standings. Had he won the Kansas Lottery 300 race, his advancement to the Round of 10 would've been guaranteed.

JGR's Chandler Smith is running his second full-time Xfinity season and is placed second. He is Custer's immediate challenger for the 2024 title and his #81 Toyota driver boasts two victories, 12 top-5s, and 17 top-10s.

Both being the championship contenders, they fought fiercely for the lead to ease into next round of playoffs. However, because of Smith, Custer got door-slammed into the wall and, after the race, confronted the JGR driver in the pitlane.

Here's the video of Custer lashing at Smith (via Daniel McFadin on X).

"You drove me like a f***ing clown. You put me in the f***ing fence while I was in your right rear," Cole Custer said.

Cole Custer will enter the next race at Talladega with a 41-point cushion while Chandler Smith will start his 28th race weekend with a 36-point buffer.