Dale Earnhardt Jr. on Hocevar incident has voiced his frustration regarding Carson Hocevar‘s recent behavior during the NASCAR Cup Series race at Iowa Speedway, marking another chapter in Hocevar’s headline-grabbing career. The veteran commentator made his remarks while discussing the fallout from Hocevar’s clash with Zane Smith, a moment that has drawn attention across the stock car community.
During the event, Spire Motorsports driver Carson Hocevar made contact with Zane Smith of Front Row Motorsports on Lap 229 while attempting a pass on the inside. This contact unsettled Smith‘s car, leading to a significant loss of positions and an eventual 36th-place finish for Smith, while Hocevar managed to finish in the top 10 and earned 33 points for his efforts.
“I’m exhausted talking about Hocevar, everyone,” Dale Earnhardt Jr. said recently on the Dale Jr. Download podcast (53:04). “I really wanted to move on and skip over this one, but apparently, the rest of the crew is all just really enjoying the Hocevar happenings.”
Following the race, Ryan Bergenty, crew chief for Zane Smith, confronted Hocevar on pit road, seeking clarification on the aggressive maneuver. This sparked debate among fans regarding whether it is appropriate for a crew chief to address a driver directly. Dale Earnhardt Jr., however, expressed approval of such direct communication.
“I don’t mind. I think it’s fine. Hocevar needs to hear from somebody. So, I’m fine with that,” he added.
Though Dale Earnhardt Jr. admits that discussing Carson Hocevar‘s controversial moves has become tiresome, he acknowledges the importance of strong personalities within NASCAR. He refers to Hocevar as a driver with undeniable presence, noting that the sport thrives on figures who bring distinct identities to the track. Earnhardt Jr.’s conflicted tone reveals both frustration and admiration for the boldness that athletes like Hocevar bring to the racing world.
Earnhardt Jr. Shares Concerns Over NASCAR’s NextGen Car
Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. did not hold back his thoughts about NASCAR’s current vehicle, the NextGen Cup car. His criticisms focus on the lack of overtaking opportunities and insufficient tire degradation, elements he feels are at odds with traditional stock car racing.
“I want to say that I don’t love the Next Gen car, but it’s here,” Dale Earnhardt Jr. said on Dale Jr. Download. “I don’t love the NextGen car. It’s a sports car. It’s not a NASCAR stock car, but it’s here.“
The financial stakes surrounding the NextGen car are high, with reports indicating that teams invest as much as $350,000 per car. With so much invested since its introduction in 2022—when Joey Logano clinched the championship—organizations like Spire Motorsports and Front Row Motorsports remain committed to adapting to the platform.
“There’s millions of dollars already way down the road and the car’s here. It’s on the track. It’s not changing. It’s not going anywhere. It doesn’t do me any good to sit here and b** about the (expletive) lack of tire fall off or the inability to pass. It’s frustrating,” Dale Jr. added.
Earnhardt Jr.’s emotional remarks highlight a sense of resignation, as NASCAR pushes forward with a technical package that has fundamentally altered the competition. His statements reflect the searing debate among drivers, crew chiefs, and fans who have watched the sport’s core dynamics shift in recent years.
NASCAR Prepares for Watkins Glen Event Amid Ongoing Debate
The conversation around the behavior of drivers like Carson Hocevar and the capabilities of the NextGen car is set against the backdrop of the upcoming Go Bowling at The Glen, scheduled to run at Watkins Glen International this Sunday. The event will be broadcast on CW at 2 p.m. ET, with radio coverage available via MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
As NASCAR’s Cup Series gears up for one of its most anticipated races, the tension between tradition and change persists. Dale Earnhardt Jr. has surfaced as both a critic and a supporter of bold personalities, all while keeping a watchful eye on how ongoing changes affect the sport’s competitive landscape, its athletes, and the millions invested by teams across the paddock. The coming weeks will reveal whether figures like Hocevar continue to shake up the narrative, and how stalwarts such as Joey Logano, Zane Smith, and their organizations adapt under the watchful gaze of fans and pundits alike.
