Following a turbulent weekend at Watkins Glen International, the Carson Hocevar controversy in NASCAR appears to be intensifying, with veteran driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. suggesting on his Dale Jr. Download podcast that fellow competitors’ frustrations are reaching a boiling point. As 22-year-old Hocevar continues to draw ire from other drivers, including Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Brad Keselowski, and Zane Smith, questions grow about whether his bold approach will soon prompt serious repercussions in the sport.
Hocevar Stirs Tensions on and off the Track
This season has seen Carson Hocevar embroiled in multiple on-track incidents that have unsettled several established drivers. The situation escalated further when, during Sunday’s Cup Series contest, Michael McDowell, who drives for Spire Motorsports alongside Hocevar, spun him out on the racetrack. In response, Hocevar retaliated by bumping McDowell after taking the checkered flag. As of now, Hocevar has avoided direct conflict with any driver from Hendrick Motorsports—something Earnhardt Jr. believes could mark a turning point if it happens.
Reflecting on the heightened drama surrounding Hocevar, Dale Earnhardt Jr. cautioned that direct involvement with a team of Hendrick’s stature could have lasting consequences:
“We said this months and months ago — everything’s fine until he runs into one of Rick’s cars or something like that and he has to go into the office and talk to Rick Hendrick. It might not be Rick, but it’ll be a person like Rick that when he has to go in and have that conversation, that will have an effect. That might not fix it all, but that will have an effect on the decision making behind the wheel,”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Driver and Analyst
Earnhardt Jr. further emphasized that, while Hocevar’s aggressive style has been entertaining, a clash with teams of significant influence could mean a clampdown is coming:
“… If he goes out there and impedes a lap for [Kyle] Larson and the big man gets upset, because the big man has some influence over Spire and has influence over most things Chevrolet. When you start messing with what his program is doing or what he’s trying to accomplish, that’s when the vice gets a little tight and Carson will feel that. Until that happens, until his crew chief or owners outright go ‘Carson, stop it,’ he’s not gonna make the adjustments because he doesn’t have to or need to — doesn’t feel like he needs to, not gonna change or alter his style. … It’s building to something and it’s gonna be worth watching. I’m entertained wondering how this is gonna play out.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Driver and Analyst
Comparisons to Ross Chastain’s Past Controversies
Rick Hendrick, a significant figure in NASCAR and owner of Hendrick Motorsports, has dealt with similar driver controversies before. Before Hocevar, it was Ross Chastain who was frequently in the spotlight for his combative tactics. In 2023, Chastain consistently found himself at the center of incidents, including three separate wrecks involving Kyle Larson within four races, prompting Hendrick to publicly call out Chastain’s actions.
Hendrick commented about Chastain, noting that:
“He doesn’t have to be that aggressive,”
—Rick Hendrick, Owner of Hendrick Motorsports
“I guess at this point in the race maybe you’re super aggressive. But you just don’t run people up in the fence. He’s going to make a lot of enemies. It’s hard to win a championship when you’ve got a lot of paybacks out there.”
—Rick Hendrick, Owner of Hendrick Motorsports
Many observers believe Hendrick’s open criticism played a crucial role in getting Chastain to tone down his approach. Although Chastain still has occasional incidents, the frequency of conflicts in 2022 and 2023 was notably higher.
Recent Attempts at Reconciliation on the Track
Amid escalating tensions, there are indications that Carson Hocevar may be seeking to mend fences with some of his peers. During the closing laps at Watkins Glen, Hocevar deliberately allowed Zane Smith to pass him for seventeenth position after pulling aside at Turn 5’s exit. Post-race, Hocevar approached Smith on pit road, leaning into his rival’s car window to offer a brief apology:
“Hey, I know that doesn’t make up for it, but you can expect that in the next couple weeks, OK?”
—Carson Hocevar, NASCAR Driver
This gesture suggests Hocevar is aware of the mounting discontent and is taking steps to address past grievances, even as he continues to race with high intensity. Whether such actions will suffice to repair fractious relationships or temper more severe reprisals from veterans remains to be seen.
What Lies Ahead for Hocevar and NASCAR’s Competitive Landscape?
Carson Hocevar’s unfolding saga echoes the sport’s ongoing struggle between aggressive, attention-getting tactics and the traditions of mutual respect among drivers. With influential figures such as Rick Hendrick, Michael McDowell, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. all weighing in, the coming races could be decisive in determining whether Hocevar adjusts his style or faces disciplinary action from NASCAR, his own team or even manufacturer stakeholders like Chevrolet.
As the season continues, all eyes will remain on the evolving Carson Hocevar controversy in NASCAR. Will mounting pressure from leading teams and owners curb his combative driving, or will another high-profile clash ultimately force change? For now, the tension is palpable both on and off the track, promising that the story is far from over.
