Carson Hocevar criticized for reckless move during the Iowa Speedway NASCAR event, with Shane van Gisbergen openly expressing frustration over a dangerous three-wide maneuver that ignited tension among drivers and teams. The incident unfolded on a chaotic race day, as van Gisbergen targeted Hocevar’s aggressive action, leading to controversy and subsequent fallout involving several prominent competitors.
Van Gisbergen Calls Out Hocevar After Three-Wide Incident at Iowa
Shane van Gisbergen, racing for Trackhouse Racing, vocally condemned Carson Hocevar after a precarious move just before a major spin involving Tyler Reddick and Christopher Bell. The maneuver positioned Hocevar on the inside next to Joey Logano and van Gisbergen, resulting in contact with Logano’s #22 Ford and stirring further unrest. Van Gisbergen did not hold back, urging his team to reach out to Logano and offer an apology for the incident.
“Hey, go apologize to the 22, that wanker in the 77 just shoved it three-wide.”
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
The tension began earlier when van Gisbergen lost control entering a corner and slid into the outside walls, bringing out the event’s initial caution. His Trackhouse Racing crew carried out repairs, and he rejoined the contest, only to face added adversity as the race progressed.
Hocevar Faces More Criticism and SVG’s Challenging Day Continues
Carson Hocevar’s actions drew additional scrutiny following a separate incident involving Zane Smith of Front Row Motorsports. However, the string of issues only deepened for van Gisbergen. On Lap 262, while running 16th, he was hit by Kyle Busch, causing his second spin and further complications. By race’s end, van Gisbergen languished a lap down and settled for 31st place out of 37 entries.
The Cascading Effect on Race Strategy and Notable Finishers
The aftermath of van Gisbergen’s spins impacted others, notably Kyle Larson. Cliff Daniels, crew chief for Larson at Hendrick Motorsports, pinpointed how SVG’s second incident reshuffled the pack. Cars that had pitted earlier, including Larson, found themselves stuck further back in the traffic, while slower competitors gained advantageous track position. This untimely caution forced teams to adjust strategy on the fly, disrupt pit sequences, and ultimately diminished Larson’s chances for a strong finish after starting third.
“Obviously that’s a really, really big game changer. I would assume we’re going to be lining up around the 17 lead lap. Everybody in front of us will have pitted for tires right here, everybody behind this will be on the same cycle that we are… So yeah, she’s gonna be tough to get back up through there and we’re going to grind it out from here to me,” Daniels said.
—Cliff Daniels, Crew Chief
Larson ended the race in 28th place, capping an afternoon where several top drivers found themselves out-of-position due to the sequence of cautions and incidents.
Van Gisbergen Eyes Quick Turnaround After Iowa Setback
Despite the disappointment at Iowa Speedway, Shane van Gisbergen entered the weekend with momentum, having recently claimed his first oval victory in the Pro-Legends Summer Shootout at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Looking ahead, he will compete next at Watkins Glen, where his road course pedigree makes him a front-runner and sets the stage for an anticipated battle against Connor Zilisch. Van Gisbergen’s focus will be on regaining form after a turbulent run marred by collision and frustrated radio communications.
This Iowa race underscored how split-second decisions, such as Hocevar’s much-debated three-wide approach, can rapidly escalate into larger consequences for multiple contenders, prompting pointed reactions from both drivers and teams. As the series moves toward Watkins Glen, participants will be intent on adjusting strategies to prevent similar chaos, while the scrutiny on aggressive moves like the one involving Hocevar looks set to continue.
