Dale Earnhardt Jr. sparked a flurry of chatter when he retweeted a 2023 Trackhouse Racing tweet announcing Zane Smith as a new driver, making it seem as though the veteran had just been re‑signed.
Why the mix‑up happened
Earnhardt explained that the post was a relic from three years ago. “I read through it, checked the Handle, felt it was authentic, and then I hit retweet,” he said during a recent interview. A fellow commentator called him out an hour later, revealing the age of the tweet and the fact that Smith had already moved to Front Row Motorsports.
Inside the post’s top comment
The overnight buzz was amplified by a comment from Carson Hocevar congratulating Smith on the supposed signing. With the two drivers currently at odds, the note stirred a flash of tension amid the conversation.
What’s next for Trackhouse?
Although the rumor mill cooled, Trackhouse remains focused on its 2028 lineup, seeking a replacement for Connor Zilisch who has inked a deal with Hendrick Motorsports. The episode underscores how quickly a single old tweet can fuel false narratives in the fast‑paced world of NASCAR.
"