Carson Hocevar, 'We're Here To Win Races, Not Be A Boy Band'
Today at 08:54 AM
By Jerry Jordan, Editor
HAMPTON, Ga. – Carson Hocevar was a very popular driver following his runner-up finish in the NASCAR Cup Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway but that post-race fame was far from praise as several drivers pulled him aside for a little one-on-one chat.
While Hocevar was happy with a second-place finish, Ross Chastain, Kyle Busch and Ryan Blaney, who spun off Hocevar's bumper on Lap 235, had some harsh words during and after the race. So much so that Chastain and Blaney both pulled him aside and dressed him down for his aggressiveness during the race.
Blaney said his spin stung "a little less" because he was able to rally back to finish fourth on what could have been a disastrous day. As for Chastain, his conversation was much longer and more animated, with Chastain refusing multiple times to shake Hocevar's hand and call a truce.
Whatever the disagreement, even Hocevar wasn't giving up much information about what the two discussed over several minutes just beyond pit road in the AMS ballfield.
"Yeah, it was literally just honestly about the Triple Dipper at Chili’s," Hocevar said, ensuring to get in a plug for his sponsor. "Honestly, you know, obviously, that’s not true, but that’s for me and him to discuss. And if anything, maybe I’ll invite him to Chili's."
Busch made his comments over his radio to his spotter during the race because he felt like he was being raced too hard by Hocevar.
“Go tell the 77 he’s done that same fucking move ten times. I don’t care if I wreck the whole fucking field, I’m over him. He’s a fucking douchebag. I’m going to wreck his ass," he said.
Despite the in-race and post-race criticism, Hocevar took most of it in stride, explaining that he was believed he had a shot to win the race, something that definitely wasn't in the cards a week before in the Daytona 500.
"You know, this is the second race," Hocevar said. "I don’t even know if anybody knew we were in the race at Daytona. There's a few things that I probably need to clean up on, but normally, I’m riding 38th and trying to put myself in decent spots just finishing. So, this is the first time I’ve ever really been up front, especially a superspeedway, pushing and doing everything. And I felt like I did some things, right? Just obviously, not everything, right."
During his rookie season in 2024, Hocevar scored multiple Top 10s but he was not at the front for most of the season and finished 21st in driver points. Coming into his sophomore season in the NASCAR Cup Series he understands he has to improve and he is hungry for a win. If that upsets other drivers, it is something he will have to live with but he is done backing down and riding around at the back of the pack. He doesn't want to "piss off" his competitors because that could get him put into the wall, so he admits there are some things he can improve on but going forward, he is chasing wins.
"I called Jeff Dickerson (co-owner of Spire Motorsports) right after Daytona, on Monday, and I said, 'Hey man, like, what do you think I should do?' And he’s like, 'Well, just ride, do what you normally do.' And I said, 'I think I’m just gonna go race and I’m just gonna go see what happens.'"
Hocevar said Dickerson and his team were happy with his decision and that they had faith in him to make the decision to go for wins rather than just trying to find a solid finish each week. As for Blaney, Busch, Chastain and anyone else upset with his aggressive and decision to put himself in the competition for checkered flags, he said, "We’re here to win races, not be a boy band and love each other, you know, and play on the playground together,"
