Carson Hocevar, a rising star in the NASCAR world, has recently come under scrutiny for his inconsistent public persona and on-track behavior. His actions at Atlanta Motor Speedway, particularly his risky maneuver on Lap 234 that set Ryan Blaney’s No. 12 car spiraling, have raised eyebrows. Adding fuel to the fire were Hocevar’s conflicting remarks during post-race interviews, leaving both fans and fellow NASCAR drivers confused and concerned.
Among those voicing concerns is NASCAR veteran Denny Hamlin, who recently sounded off about Hocevar’s behavior on his podcast, ‘Actions Detrimental with Denny Hamlin’. Hamlin, along with co-host Jared Allen, dissected the events that transpired at Atlanta Motor Speedway and the ensuing controversy revolving around Hocevar, the Spire Motorsports driver.
Hamlin pointed out Hocevar’s contradictory statements during his post-race interviews, where he alternated between a fierce, competitive stance and a more humble, reflective demeanor. This inconsistency, says Hamlin, raises significant questions about Hocevar’s identity and his strategy as he continues to compete in the Cup Series.
Moreover, Hamlin warned that Hocevar’s mixed messages could instigate hostility among fellow drivers. He stated, “If you’ve got a bunch of guys upset with you, it just makes your job so hard,” underlining the potential setbacks Hocevar may face following the Atlanta race. His aggressive driving style during the race not only led to a near-crash with Blaney but also incurred the wrath of drivers like Kyle Busch and Ross Chastain.
Hamlin went on to caution Hocevar that such behavior could provoke retaliation on the tracks. Echoing Kyle ‘Rowdy’ Busch’s post-race sentiments, Hamlin stated, “If someone were to spin me out, I would do everything I could to…spin them out next time.” His words underscore the importance of respect, reputation, and mutual understanding in NASCAR—a sport where relationships are built on trust.
As Hocevar gears up for the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix weekend, he will need to strike a balance between maintaining a competitive edge and fostering goodwill among his peers. This might necessitate some introspection and a reevaluation of his public image to ensure that his actions both on and off the track are in line with the persona he wishes to project.
This weekend, Hocevar is set to pull double duty at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. He announced via social media that he would be driving the No. 14 Trophy Tractor Chevrolet Camaro for SS Greenlight Racing in Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race, a position previously slated for Garrett Smithley. Interestingly, this is the same track where Hocevar made his debut.
Hocevar’s past performances at COTA have been a mixed bag, with a transmission issue ending his race after just seven laps during his Xfinity Series debut. Despite this setback and a disappointing 38th-place finish, Hocevar has shown potential, securing two top-10 finishes in his four other starts. As he prepares to compete on COTA’s updated 2.4-mile layout and continue racing in the Cup Series, it remains to be seen how he will handle the pressure and whether his recent controversies will affect his relationships on the track.
