During the Cracker Barrel 400 at Nashville Superspeedway last Sunday, Carson Hocevar sparked controversy after aggressively bumping Ricky Stenhouse Jr.’s No. 47 Chevrolet, causing Stenhouse to spin out on Lap 106 of Stage 2. This incident resulted in Stenhouse’s first Did Not Finish (DNF) of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season and ignited a heated exchange between the two drivers. Hocevar’s aggressive NASCAR racing response has drawn both criticism and defense within the racing community.
Details of the Nashville Race Incident and Stenhouse’s Reaction
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. expressed clear frustration following the crash that ended his race prematurely. Stenhouse criticized Hocevar not only for the on-track bump but also for his lack of outreach afterward. Stenhouse pointed out that in the racing world, it is common courtesy to apologize quickly when a mistake like that happens. He explained,
“I’ve been in this sport a long time and if you make a mistake like that, you generally pick up the phone as quick as you can, especially if you feel bad about it,”
Stenhouse said Tuesday.
“If you don’t, you just roll on with it. No, I’ve not gotten a call from him. I’ve talked to his owner. Jeff Dickerson and I are super tight. I haven’t gotten a call from him, so to my point, he doesn’t really care about it, which is fine.”
His comments implied that Hocevar’s silence reflected a lack of remorse and respect, intensifying criticism of the younger driver.
Hocevar’s Response and Stance on His Driving Style
<pCarson Hocevar did not remain silent for long. Hours after Stenhouse’s remarks, Hocevar explained on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio that he did in fact reach out to Stenhouse to express regret over the incident. Despite this, Hocevar defended his style of racing, making it clear that he intends to maintain his aggressive approach while attempting to refine it. He stated,
“I don’t wanna change or lose my edge I just need to smooth the edges a bit,”
Hocevar said, via Danielle Trotta of SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
His comments illustrate a desire to keep pushing aggressively on the track but with more control, emphasizing that his competitive nature is central to his success and identity as a driver.
Veteran Praise Helps Validate Hocevar’s Approach
Hocevar’s aggressive strategy has its supporters, most notably NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. On his podcast, Earnhardt Jr. drew parallels between Hocevar’s bold tactics and those of the racing icon Dale Earnhardt, known for his fearless driving and physical style on the track. He remarked,
“I think the guy reminds me of like a 1979 Dale Earnhardt – fast, not scared to use his front bumper, doesn’t care if someone gets mad about it,”
Dale Jr. said.
“I say that to maybe encourage Carson to continue what he’s doing because Dale Earnhardt ended up becoming a seven-time champion, and that aggressive style was something that endeared him to a lot of people.”
Earnhardt Jr.’s endorsement highlights how Hocevar’s driving style could ultimately be a strength, despite the mixed reactions it generates within the NASCAR community.
Looking Ahead to Upcoming Races
Although Hocevar’s aggressive move at Nashville stirred controversy, it has not dented his momentum in the 2025 season. Finishing second at the Cracker Barrel 400 underscores his competitive edge and determination. The NASCAR Cup Series will continue this Sunday at Michigan International Speedway, where fans will closely watch to see if Hocevar maintains his assertive style or tempers his approach as suggested.
His ongoing performance will likely influence how other drivers respond to his tactics and whether the NASCAR world can fully accept his brand of racing aggression moving forward.
