Carson Hocevar, a rising star in NASCAR, has recently made headlines with his daring, aggressive driving style, which has polarized opinions about him. Despite causing a stir in Atlanta with confrontations with Kyle Busch and Ryan Blaney, he managed to secure a second-place finish at the high-profile Ambetter Health 400. His hard-driving approach has been both praised and criticized, yet it’s clear that Hocevar’s stock is on the rise.
Hocevar’s recent spotlight isn’t about his driving style alone. He’s making a rare appearance in the Xfinity Series, replacing the experienced Garrett Smithley in the No. 14 car for SS-Green Light Racing. Smithley, acknowledging that the challenging COTA road course isn’t his strong suit, has stepped aside to give his team a better chance with Hocevar at the helm.
Smithley, an Xfinity Series veteran, despite his substantial track record, hasn’t managed to make a significant impact in the series. With 182 starts, he has only five top-10 finishes and a single top-five finish to his name. His average finishing position of 24.8 indicates his struggles. Hocevar, on the other hand, in just five Xfinity races, has bagged two top-10 finishes, suggesting a promising future.
Smithley has yet to make a start at COTA in the Xfinity series, while Hocevar debuted there in 2023. Although he finished 38th following a crash, Hocevar later improved his performance, finishing in the top 25 for Spire Motorsports in 2024. His best performance to date was at Chicago Street Course, where he started 13th and finished in the top 25. It’s clear that his speed and aggression outweigh Smithley’s experience, hence the decision by SS-Green Light Racing.
Hocevar’s aggressive driving style has certainly made him a contentious figure in NASCAR. His confrontations with Kyle Busch and Ryan Blaney at the Ambetter Health 400 in Atlanta have earned him both critics and supporters. In a post-race interview, Hocevar made it clear that he’s there to win, not make friends, sparking further debate.
Denny Hamlin, a fellow driver, warned that Hocevar’s contentious approach could make things difficult for him. However, NASCAR veteran Kevin Harvick had a different viewpoint, praising Hocevar for his raw talent and determination. Harvick believes that Hocevar is doing exactly what young drivers should do — making a name for themselves, even if it involves stepping on some toes.
Harvick also pointed out that many of today’s top competitors, including Tony Stewart, Kyle Busch, and even Denny Hamlin, started off as fearless racers who didn’t hesitate to ruffle feathers. He did caution Hocevar about understanding the balance between aggression and discretion but expressed confidence in Hocevar’s potential to evolve into a consistent contender.
Hocevar’s next challenge lies in proving his mettle at COTA. With the No. 14 car at his disposal, he stands a prime opportunity to showcase his road course skills. His future in NASCAR looks promising, but only time will tell whether he can harness his aggression, refine his skills, and rise to the top of the ranks.
