During the NASCAR Cup Series Round of 12 opener at Loudon, the Carson Hocevar NASCAR controversy took a new turn as Wood Brothers Racing publicly mocked Hocevar following an eventful USA Today 301. The confrontation happened as Josh Berry, piloting for Wood Brothers Racing, engaged in intense battles on the track, highlighting ongoing friction within the sport.
Berry’s Rollercoaster Season Sets the Stage
Josh Berry, who has struggled for top placements in the initial races at Daytona, Atlanta, and Circuit of The Americas, saw a break at Phoenix with a top-five finish and a win at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, propelling him into the postseason conversation. Despite flashes of competitiveness, Berry’s season encountered setbacks, and he managed only three more top-ten finishes until the race in New Hampshire, where he came in second place behind Ryan Blaney.
The action in New Hampshire was far from straightforward. Berry, at 34, persisted through tight battles and maintained competitive track position, notably during a contest with both William Byron and Blaney. Meanwhile, the young Carson Hocevar, representing Spire Motorsports, sought to keep pace and build on his recent success, finding himself entrenched in the fray just behind the main leaders.
Wood Brothers Racing’s Sarcastic Public Jab at Hocevar
As the drivers settled into rhythm, Berry momentarily trailed Hocevar in the top five, before a critical incident unfolded. Berry spun after contact with Shane van Gisbergen while the two raced for fifth place; as the Trackhouse Racing competitor ducked beneath Berry’s No. 21, the resulting maneuver sent Berry for a spin, intensifying the mood on pit road.
Some contact on @joshberry and he’s spun around on the track 😳 #NASCARPlayoffs
📺: @USANetwork pic.twitter.com/fvBgSG4Dk2
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) September 21, 2025
As the sequence raised tensions, Wood Brothers Racing used their social media platform to mock Carson Hocevar, making light of their proximity to the controversial driver.
whew we did it! Finished stage 1, and we made it a lap in the vicinity of the 77 and managed to not be turned around looking at traffic. Or on fire. Or dragging the track. Things are looking up but I’ve jinxed it no doubt
— Wood Brothers Racing (@woodbrothers21) September 21, 2025
The post signaled the team’s wariness of Hocevar, who has built a reputation among drivers and fans as an aggressive on-track presence.
A Quick Turn of Events Adds Fuel to the Fire
Only minutes after their tongue-in-cheek online jab, Berry’s spin with Shane van Gisbergen on Lap 82 brought more attention from the team’s social channel. This time, Wood Brothers Racing reacted with resigned irony as their luck shifted unexpectedly.
Spoke too soon.
Again
Brought that one on ourselves
— Wood Brothers Racing (@woodbrothers21) September 21, 2025
Despite Hocevar’s No. 77 Chevy not directly causing Berry’s Stage 2 spin, the incident and the subsequent online banter fueled the ongoing dialogue about Hocevar’s conduct in the series. The episode served as a reminder of previous tense moments between Berry and Hocevar, with fans and competitors keeping a watchful eye on their interactions.
What This Means for NASCAR’s Playoff Battle
The events at New Hampshire reflect the unpredictable and emotionally charged atmosphere of the NASCAR Cup Series postseason, as drivers such as Josh Berry and Carson Hocevar continue to draw attention for their intense on-track rivalries. With Wood Brothers Racing injecting humor and pointed commentary into the mix, all eyes remain on whether these tensions will escalate as the playoffs progress. The Carson Hocevar NASCAR controversy underscores the high stakes and personalities involved, ensuring that the drama shows little sign of slowing as the championship chase continues.
Some contact on @joshberry and he's spun around on the track 😳 #NASCARPlayoffs
📺: @USANetwork pic.twitter.com/fvBgSG4Dk2
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) September 21, 2025
whew we did it! Finished stage 1, and we made it a lap in the vicinity of the 77 and managed to not be turned around looking at traffic. Or on fire. Or dragging the track. Things are looking up but I’ve jinxed it no doubt
— Wood Brothers Racing (@woodbrothers21) September 21, 2025
Spoke too soon.
Again
Brought that one on ourselves
— Wood Brothers Racing (@woodbrothers21) September 21, 2025
