Kaden Honeycutt’s Homestead-Miami Speedway race spiraled into chaos after a critical pit road penalty reignited tensions with crew chief Phil Gould. During the March 22 Baptist Health 200 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event, Gould’s sharp rebuke — “Shut up and drive” — cut through the radio as the No. 45 team faced its second consecutive setback.
The penalty mirrored Honeycutt’s Las Vegas misstep weeks earlier, compounding frustration for the rising star. Though he clawed back to 10th place, the incident spotlighted recurring struggles for a team desperate to convert speed into clean results.
Crew Chief Phil Gould’s Fiery Rebuke Dominates Team Radio
Tensions flared during the final stage when Honeycutt’s aggressive pit entry resulted in a tire changer collision. NASCAR officials swiftly penalized the No. 45 Chevrolet Silverado, derailing Honeycutt’s charge toward the top five. Gould delivered the news bluntly, sparking an immediate backlash.
“F*** me. Oh my gosh,” Honeycutt shouted. “Are you kidding me?! It’s the same thing we did last time.”
Gould’s response was unsparing. “Such bulls***, man, second week in a row,” he said. “You have a good truck here, so you can complain about it, or you can shut up and drive.”
The exchange laid bare mounting pressure on Honeycutt, who had surged from 13th to fifth before the penalty. His team’s penchant for unforced errors now overshadows its undeniable pace.
Kaden Honeycutt Vows Progress Amid Penalty Fallout at Homestead-Miami
Post-race, Honeycutt balanced frustration with optimism. He praised his AutoVentive/Precision Vehicle Logistics crew for improvements since 2024 but acknowledged the need for sharper execution.
“All my guys did an unbelievable job, and they were so on it tonight. I’m so proud of them and the improvement we’ve made from last year,” he told Frontstretch. “Just want to thank them; they did a great job.”
The Homestead penalty reopened wounds from Las Vegas, where a late-race error dropped him from fourth to 12th. This time, Honeycutt pledged to study the footage and avoid repeating mistakes.
“I regret what I said,” he admitted. “I’ll look at it, learn from it and get better. … I’m just really frustrated. I never really had a moment to start on the front row there in a truck race in a while since Kansas last year.”
Gould’s blunt directive underscored a demand for accountability. Honeycutt’s recovery to 10th, bolstered by stage points, softened the blow, but Martinsville’s tight corners loom as a test of focus.
“Our truck was so fast there, and we were able to come back and get a good finish out of it. We had a great points night tonight through the stages, and with a top-10,” Honeycutt said. “We know we have the speed to contend for wins, and we’re going to give it our all next week in Martinsville.”
The road ahead for the No. 45 team hinges on turning Gould’s heated words into a catalyst, not a crisis. They have a chance for redemption at the Boys & Girls Club of The Blue Ridge 200 at Martinsville Speedway in Ridgeway, Va., on March 28.