Carson Hocevar, the 22-year-old driver known for his raw speed and aggressive racing style, has sparked controversy again during the 2025 NASCAR season. At the Nashville race, Hocevar’s aggressive tactics led to a collision with veteran driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr., drawing sharp criticism from Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. This latest incident has put the spotlight on Hocevar’s contentious approach and raised concerns about his future in the sport.
While racing at Nashville, Hocevar, driving the No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevy, caused a wreck involving Stenhouse’s No. 47 Chevy on lap 106, despite having space to avoid contact. Although Hocevar finished the race in second place and earned 39 points, his actions overshadowed his performance. Earnhardt Jr., providing commentary for Prime, openly criticized Hocevar’s decision, highlighting the young driver’s failure to acknowledge responsibility for the crash.
The 2024 Rookie of the Year winner seemed unaware that he was at fault in the incident, according to Earnhardt Jr., who noted that Hocevar’s post-race statements showed a lack of understanding about causing the wreck. Despite his admiration for Hocevar’s skill and personality, Earnhardt Jr. believes that the driver should have shown more restraint and given Stenhouse room rather than choosing aggression.
“Well, I hear a guy that doesn’t know that he ran into the back of somebody and wrecked them. Hey, I’ll call it like it is. I like Hocevar a lot. Kid’s awesome. Ran second tonight. I like his attitude, I like his personality, and I like his style. But yeah, I think he could have cut the 47 a break, and he chose not to do that.” —Dale Earnhardt Jr., on Prime broadcast
Earnhardt Jr. further described Hocevar’s driving style as unapologetic and polarizing, traits that divide fans and create tension within the NASCAR community. While some spectators admire Hocevar’s fearless approach, others are concerned about the consequences of his reckless moves, particularly when they affect well-liked drivers. As Hocevar continues racing with this aggressive mindset, Earnhardt Jr. expressed curiosity about how these rivalries will unfold.
“That’s his way that he wants to race. He’s not very apologetic about it. A lot of people are going to love that. A lot of people are going to love how he races and how he does his job. From what I saw tonight, I think he probably could have gave Ricky an opportunity there and continued to race. And he’ll have to hear that side from Ricky, and it will be interesting to see how that plays out.” —Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Suggests Hocevar Should Be Selective With Conflicts
During the post-race discussion, Earnhardt Jr. advised Hocevar to be more strategic about the drivers he clashes with on the track. He warned that consistently battling fan-favorite drivers could ultimately hurt Hocevar’s popularity and support from the NASCAR community. Earnhardt Jr. highlighted the careers of drivers like Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin, implying Hocevar risks alienating fans if he targets popular competitors indiscriminately.
“I like what I see out of Hocevar. As a fan and a broadcaster, it is entertaining. I just don’t like it when he wrecks the good guy, you know? I know Stenhouse has had his issues, too, but you kinda gotta pick and choose who your enemies are, and you can’t just kind of blanket the garage, right?” —Dale Earnhardt Jr.
This warning underscores how Hocevar’s aggressive style, while exciting, might hinder long-term support if he does not learn to navigate rivalries more thoughtfully. Despite this advice, given Hocevar’s fiery personality, many expect him to continue racing with intensity and confront every challenger head-on.
The recent incident at Nashville adds to a growing list of run-ins involving Hocevar with other drivers this season, including a heated exchange with Shane van Gisbergen. These clashes have reinforced Hocevar’s reputation as both a future star and a problem driver in NASCAR.
The impact of Hocevar’s aggressive racing at Nashville could influence how other drivers approach battles with him moving forward. As tensions build, industry insiders and fans alike will watch closely to see if Hocevar adapts or persists in his uncompromising style.
