Three weeks have passed since the tumultuous NASCAR Cup Series race in Mexico City, but the Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Mexico City incident remains a focal point in motorsports debates. During that race, Carson Hocevar spun out Ricky Stenhouse Jr., amplifying the ongoing tension between the two drivers that started weeks earlier in Nashville.
The clash in Mexico City marked the second time in three weeks that Hocevar and Stenhouse had trouble on the track, with Hocevar previously ending Stenhouse’s race prematurely at Nashville. The escalation in Mexico City gripped NASCAR fans and analysts alike, as the incident further fueled their growing rivalry.
Following the Mexico City race, Hocevar issued an initial apology to Stenhouse. He revisited the matter during the latest episode of the Dale Jr. Download podcast, expressing regret over his handling of the event. Hocevar openly admitted his fault for the Mexico City mishap yet clarified that he had merely stood up for himself during their Nashville altercation.
Carson Hocevar Recalls “Biggest Brain Fade Ever” in Mexico City
Hocevar shed light on what transpired in Mexico City, recalling the pivotal moment that led to the spin involving Stenhouse:
“So I saw him in front of me and he was kind of like pushing up and I was trying to help him,”
—Carson Hocevar, Driver
He elaborated on the high-pressure dynamics of racing at the Mexico City circuit, pointing out how slower cars and the demanding elevation made straightaways particularly challenging. Hocevar admitted to a lapse in focus:
“I noticed he was catching the guys in front. I was like, ‘Oh, I’m going to earn some (track position) back here. I’m going to push him down the straightaway.’ I was kind of staying close and everything and I just had the biggest brain fade ever. I just got in the corner and I was like, ‘Oh, there’s a corner here.’ And so, I went to the brakes. I locked up.”
—Carson Hocevar, Driver
During the podcast, Hocevar continued his account of the confusion from inside his car. He explained how, for a moment, it appeared to his team as if he had lost consciousness behind the wheel, but the reality was far more mundane:
“I just kind of zoned out. I was just banging gears. For a minute, my guys thought I passed out because my car just goes straight. And I am legitimately in there holding the wheel straight. I was just literally just sitting there and I’m watching him and I don’t even turn the wheel.”
—Carson Hocevar, Driver
Hocevar expressed his anxiety as he watched Stenhouse spin out, wishing he could somehow undo the mistake:
“I’m just literally watching him spin and I’m just like, ‘Please, for the love of God, save this thing. Even if you lose a spot, just save it,’”
—Carson Hocevar, Driver
He continued describing the aftermath inside his own car, while his crew speculated about his well-being:
“So my car just stayed there for a while and they thought I legitimately had like a medical emergency, like I passed out from the heat and whatever. But I was just like no, I was just sitting there watching.”
—Carson Hocevar, Driver
In the end, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. managed to finish the grueling Mexico City race, albeit in a disappointing 27th place. Hocevar fared even worse, crossing the line in 34th as a direct result of the incident.
A Prior Confrontation in Nashville Sets the Stage
The Mexico City drama was only the latest chapter in a budding rivalry. Two weeks before their clash south of the border, tensions ignited in Nashville when Hocevar’s aggressive move sent Stenhouse crashing out of the race, ending his campaign early. Hocevar, a determined 22-year-old from Portage, Michigan, has built a reputation this season as an unwaveringly aggressive competitor.
Reflecting on his Nashville actions, Hocevar explained his strategic thinking as the two duelled entering Turn 3:
“I thought like there’s a car directly in front of him,”
—Carson Hocevar, Driver
Hocevar revealed that he tried to pressure Stenhouse, expecting the driver to adjust his line for a cleaner race. Stenhouse, however, held his ground and the aggressive exchange led to calamity:
“I think he thought I was going to cut him a break and I was just like, ‘Well, why couldn’t I get one, too, like why can’t (we) race side by side in that corner?”
—Carson Hocevar, Driver
The result was immediate: Stenhouse left Nashville early with a 39th-place finish, further fanning the flames of their rivalry. Hocevar’s unapologetic approach and penchant for calculated risk have not gone unnoticed among his fellow drivers, with Stenhouse becoming the most recent casualty of his assertive tactics.
Lingering Tension as Rivals Prepare for Sonoma
Although the temperature between Stenhouse and Hocevar lowered in the aftermath of Mexico City, both drivers maintain an aggressive style on the track. Despite having resolved their disagreements in two separate discussions, the competitive tension between the two remains palpable. NASCAR spectators and insiders now wonder if their rivalry will resurface soon, possibly as early as the upcoming race at Sonoma Raceway in California.
This streak of high-drama incidents has highlighted just how quickly dynamics between drivers such as Carson Hocevar and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. can shift over the course of a single season. The ongoing scrutiny amplified by the Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Mexico City incident, coupled with previous confrontations, ensures that the rivalry will continue to be closely watched by fans and analysts as the NASCAR Cup season unfolds.
