Controversy erupted at Dover as Carson Hocevar slams NASCAR Cup rivals for what he describes as a culture of insincerity, saying many relationships in the sport are ‘fake.’ Hocevar, known for his outspoken style and aggressive driving since joining the Cup Series full-time in 2024, made clear he does not value superficial friendships with fellow drivers.
At only 22, Hocevar has already attracted widespread attention—sometimes negative—for both his performance behind the wheel and off-track behavior, including confrontations and a recent public apology after making offensive comments about Mexico City on Twitch. While he addressed that controversy, Hocevar’s core philosophy remains unapologetic when it comes to his approach towards fellow NASCAR competitors.
Hocevar’s Outspoken Attitude Highlights NASCAR Tensions
During conversations with reporters at Dover, Hocevar defended his no-nonsense stance towards on-track incidents and the culture of post-race apologies. Recently, his racing has seen clashes and tension, amplified by his frank public statements.
“It’s just racing. Sometimes stuff happens. We’re all in the limit of everything. Of all people, I’m on the limit of everything. So, yeah, it doesn’t bother me.”
—Carson Hocevar, driver
Hocevar specifically criticized the expectation among drivers to reach out after on-track incidents, often making insincere apologies.
“I don’t really like the whole ‘have to call’ and do that and have to apologize on Monday, say whatever. Because, I mean, even if you do it intentionally or not, you’re never going to say that to the person.”
—Carson Hocevar, driver
This tension has contributed to Hocevar’s notoriety this 2024 season, with heated encounters involving drivers like Ryan Blaney, Ross Chastain, and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. His driving style and lack of interest in making amends have already drawn warnings from veteran driver Denny Hamlin, who cautioned that Hocevar’s approach could escalate further conflicts within NASCAR’s tightly competitive ranks.
Rejecting Surface-Level Connections Among Drivers
The Spire Motorsports driver admitted he never embraced the expected camaraderie in NASCAR’s upper tier. Instead, Hocevar described the post-race rituals and so-called friendships as performative.
“It just kind of just becomes a pony show a little bit.”
—Carson Hocevar, driver
When asked if distancing himself from other drivers makes apologies easier to avoid, Hocevar doubled down on his stance and questioned the authenticity of those around him.
“Sure. Yeah, it does. I don’t know. I just don’t like fakeness. I like genuineness, and I know how I am as a driver, and I think we’re all two-faced, so I just might as well just cut it at the cord and know my friends are my friends.”
—Carson Hocevar, driver
Hocevar revealed that Bubba Wallace, driver for 23XI Racing, is the only peer he’s socialized with off the track. This approach has made him a divisive figure among Cup Series drivers, having triggered disputes with several top names throughout the season.
The ongoing clashes and Hocevar’s blunt approach have kept him at the center of NASCAR headlines, even as hot-button stories like Joey Logano’s career decisions and persistent team penalties dominate the sport’s landscape.
What Hocevar’s Comments Mean for the NASCAR Cup Series
With Carson Hocevar slamming NASCAR Cup rivals and refusing to play by the sport’s unwritten social rules, tensions within the Cup paddock may only intensify as the season continues. The comments reflect an ongoing shift in driver dynamics and a move away from traditional codes of conduct.
For the NASCAR community—including teams like Spire Motorsports, high-profile competitors such as Ross Chastain and Bubba Wallace, and figures like Denny Hamlin—Hocevar’s words could signal both more rivalries and greater scrutiny of how drivers interact off and on the track. Whether this stance will isolate him further or reinforce his identity remains to be seen as the Cup Series moves forward.
