The stormy aftermath of the Atlanta Motor Speedway race continues to brew as Trackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain voices his displeasure over the aggressive tactics employed by Carson Hocevar. Chastain, alongside fellow drivers Kyle Busch and Ryan Blaney, found themselves at the receiving end of Hocevar’s relentless driving style, resulting in a heated exchange post-race. As the dust begins to settle, Chastain spills the beans on the altercation, raising questions about possible retribution at the forthcoming EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas.
Known for his own brush with controversy, Chastain, once labeled NASCAR’s ‘bad boy’, was taken aback by Hocevar’s justification for his actions on the track. The sophomore racer, driving the No. 77 Chevy, adopted a cutthroat approach at Atlanta, even if it meant sidelining fellow racers, including his mentor, Chastain.
Chastain, who had been a strong contender for the 2025 AmBetter Health 400, found himself eliminated from the race due to Hocevar’s ‘dirty push’ during the overtime restart. Reflecting on the incident, Chastain commented, “He almost won. That’s great. I just don’t think it was what was best. Definitely wasn’t the best for me at that moment, I lost a chance to win the race because of him and I want to understand why he did that. He told me the reason, and I don’t have to agree with it.”
Hocevar’s gamble at Atlanta proved to be a double-edged sword. While his aggressive tactics brought him closer to his first Cup Series race win, they left a trail of disgruntled competitors in his wake, including Chastain, who was forced to settle for an eighth-place finish. The Trackhouse Racing driver felt robbed of a potential victory due to Hocevar’s reckless actions.
When pressed further about the incident, Chastain remained tight-lipped, only stating, “No, sir” when questioned if Hocevar’s explanation was satisfactory. Chastain wasn’t the only one rattled by Hocevar’s antics. The No. 77 Chevy driver also locked horns with Christopher Bell, almost causing the Joe Gibbs Racing driver to spin out on the last lap.
Offering a different perspective, Daytona 500 triple winner and superspeedway veteran, Denny Hamlin, defended Hocevar’s actions. He argued that Hocevar was merely trying to secure a win for his team. Hamlin shared his insights on the Actions Detrimental podcast, stating that the second, third, and fourth cars need to stay close to the leading car for a successful superspeedway race. He suggested that Chastain’s discontent might stem from Hocevar’s move disrupting their line.
While Hocevar’s aggressive approach can be chalked down to youthful exuberance, his actions at Atlanta underscore the importance of a balanced strategy. NASCAR is as much a team sport as it is an individual one, and having allies on the track can prove invaluable. Hocevar must learn that racing cleanly and nurturing alliances can be the make-or-break factor in a season. In a sport where every inch counts, it’s essential to leverage every advantage available. The young Spire Motorsports driver would do well to remember this as he navigates his racing career.