Carson Hocevar responds to Nashville crash backlash after becoming the center of controversy over his incident with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. during Sunday’s race at the Nashville Superspeedway, sharing how Spire Motorsports co-owner Jeff Dickerson’s guidance has shaped his reaction and response to the criticism. Hocevar, who drives the No. 77 car, provided insights into how he and his team are working to move forward from the episode and improve their performance together on and off the track.
Facing Criticism After Nashville: Hocevar’s View
In motorsport, causing an accident can quickly put a driver in the media spotlight, drawing mixed reactions and significant scrutiny. Carson Hocevar found himself in this situation following his collision with Ricky Stenhouse Jr.’s Chevy ZL1 in Nashville. Since the incident, Hocevar has been at the center of a heated debate, with critics voicing their frustrations loudly across the motorsports community. Nevertheless, alongside the backlash, there were voices of support for the young driver, notably from within his own team—Spire Motorsports. Jeff Dickerson, Spire’s co-owner, was among those who stood by Hocevar.
Hocevar Discusses Team Dynamics and Leadership
After the event, Hocevar made an appearance on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, where he delved into his experience addressing the controversy and his interactions within the team. He openly discussed the team environment and his close relationship with Spire Motorsports owner Jeff Dickerson, describing Dickerson as someone he relies on greatly for both career and personal advice.
“I look at Jeff not just for race car advice but life advice and everything in between.”
—Carson Hocevar, Driver
Hocevar emphasized how Dickerson’s career experience makes him a guiding force during tough times, citing a direct piece of advice from the team leader:
“Well, you can figure out on your timeline or my timeline, and I like to do my time because I think it’s gonna be quicker.”
—Jeff Dickerson, Co-owner, Spire Motorsports
This strong mentorship from Dickerson, according to Hocevar, has played a vital role in helping him move beyond challenging situations and regain focus. The young driver also highlighted his constant efforts with team members, notably crew chief Luke Lambert and spotter Tyler Green, stating,
“We work a lot. Me, Tyler Green, and Luke Lambert. We always sit down, go through so much stuff,”
and further acknowledged,
“They give me all the info they can find, and we work nonstop about our communication, how we can get better, how we can race others, how we can race ourselves, teammates, everything.”
—Carson Hocevar, Driver
Adjusting Aggressiveness While Preserving an Edge
During the interview, Hocevar openly addressed criticisms of his on-track aggressiveness, acknowledging that while it occasionally causes issues, it also sets him apart from other drivers. He reflected on the importance of balancing intensity with control, sharing Dickerson’s straightforward advice.
“Have less moments of that and more moments of passing the other 25 cars without hitting any of them.”
—Jeff Dickerson, Co-owner, Spire Motorsports
He further explained the importance of not losing the qualities that give him a competitive advantage, but also working to minimize costly mistakes.
“We don’t want to change! You don’t want to change, and you know, lose our edge. But, as Jeff had told me multiple times, let’s just round the edges off and have less moments of that and more moments of passing the other 25 cars without hitting them.”
—Jeff Dickerson, Co-owner, Spire Motorsports
Moving Forward After the Incident
Carson Hocevar’s willingness to reflect on his actions and accept guidance from team leaders like Jeff Dickerson and his close-knit group, including Luke Lambert and Tyler Green, demonstrates a thoughtful approach amid public scrutiny. As the No. 77 driver continues to develop his skills and refine his driving style, the partnership between him and Spire Motorsports could reshape his response to future challenges, helping to turn difficult situations into growth opportunities within competitive NASCAR racing.
