The Josh Berry Sonoma race incident drew sharp attention on Sunday, after a late-race collision between Berry and Carson Hocevar at Sonoma Raceway led to heated discussions across the NASCAR community. With just three laps remaining, Berry, driving for Wood Brothers Racing, ignited fan debate over whether the confrontation was payback for prior clashes between the two drivers.
Late-Race Collision Heightens Tensions Between Berry and Hocevar
During the final laps at Sonoma Raceway, Josh Berry—piloting the No. 21 ford/”>Ford—made contact with Carson Hocevar’s No. 77 Spire Motorsports chevrolet/”>Chevrolet at Turn 11, sending Hocevar spinning into the dirt. As a result, Hocevar dropped back and finished a disappointing 32nd, while Berry managed to secure a 13th-place finish. The nature of the collision, paired with the history between both drivers, led fans and commentators to believe that Berry’s move was intentional payback for a previous on-track altercation.
Carson Hocevar, known for his aggressive racing approach and combative demeanor despite being only 22, has often found himself at the center of controversy. His confrontations have included run-ins with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and other established racers, which has contributed to his reputation for stirring tension in the series. In comparison, Josh Berry is generally recognized for his level-headedness behind the wheel and steady performance, highlighted by a previous victory in Las Vegas this season. However, ongoing disputes with Hocevar seem to have strained Berry’s usual composure.
The escalating rivalry between Berry and Hocevar came to a head on Sunday, with speculation swirling that the incident at Turn 11 was the breaking point. NASCAR officials reviewed the incident but ultimately classified it as a standard racing incident, opting not to issue a penalty against Berry.
Passionate Fan Reactions Erupt Online
The Josh Berry Sonoma race incident immediately captured attention on social media, with many users taking to X (formerly Twitter) to weigh in on the drama and the drivers involved. Reactions were wide-ranging and emotional, reflecting the turbulent atmosphere that followed the clash.
One NASCAR supporter posted,
“Pretty sure that was pay back.”
—Fan on X
Another enthusiast wrote,
“I absolutely loved that. That’s my boy Berry.”
—Fan on X
Steven Taranto shared,
“Josh Berry spinning out Carson Hocevar from Berry’s onboard.
Nothing got said on the 21 radio about this (that I heard) so you be the judge I guess. pic.twitter.com/uPKCGVMpDt”
—Steven Taranto, Reporter
Another commenter added,
“Holy smokes. I think Carson might owe him a love tap.”
—Fan on X
Adding further to the debate, one user remarked,
“That’s how you deal with Hocevar. Now if the rest of the field had ball like Josh. The more you dump Hocevar the more the message will get across. Not sure why Josh did it, but it was on purpose.”
—Fan on X
The intense fan discourse online highlighted both the divisiveness of the incident and the strong opinions surrounding Carson Hocevar’s driving style. As Berry walked away with a respectable 13th-place finish and Hocevar was relegated to 32nd, the fallout of their collision was felt sharply by both drivers and their supporters.
What This Means for the Rivalry and the Races to Come
Sunday’s confrontation at Sonoma is just the latest chapter in the mounting tension between Josh Berry and Carson Hocevar. For Hocevar, this is one more addition to his growing list of on-track adversaries during the current NASCAR season. With the next race set to take place at Dover, fans are eagerly watching to see if the conflict escalates further or cools off. Regardless, the spotlight will remain on both drivers, as the rivalry and its consequences continue to shape the narrative of this year’s racing circuit.
