Carson Hocevar, the 22-year-old NASCAR driver recognized for his aggressive racing style, recently spoke openly on Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s podcast about his divisive conduct on the track. Despite facing sharp criticism for multiple incidents, Hocevar made it clear he will not soften his approach or back down amid controversy.
During the discussion, Hocevar addressed backlash from his clash with fellow driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. as well as his involvement in a significant multi-car pile-up during the Chicago Street Race. Both events have sparked debate about whether his high-risk tactics benefit or harm his performance and reputation.
Understanding Hocevar’s Unapologetic Mindset
Earnhardt questioned Hocevar about his reaction to the negative responses circulating on social media. Hocevar responded candidly, describing himself as someone who races largely on instinct rather than calculated decisions. He revealed that many choices behind the wheel happen automatically, without conscious thought.
I mean, I’m 22 now, right? I’ve raced for a long time,
Hocevar said.
Like I think the biggest thing for me is like I realized that like there’s certain things you just can’t change. Like you’re instinctively, you know, when I race, I don’t half the time know what I’m doing. It’s just autopilot.
He also shared how this instinctual style extends to qualifying, where he rarely recalls what he has done during the session even when results are strong.
Yeah. I don’t remember what I did, you know? Or I’m just like that I f****** suck. Like, I’m the worst race car driver of all time. I completely f***** that up. And they’re like, ‘P2, good job.’
Response to Criticism Over Race Incidents
After the Chicago Street Race pile-up, many drivers and fans expressed concern that Hocevar’s “go-for-broke” style might be too reckless, contributing to dangerous track conditions. Nonetheless, Hocevar showed no remorse and emphasized that only mistakes or poor moments disrupt his focused rhythm.
Like the only thing that, like clicks me out of that [flow state] is just like when I f***** up, you know, or just like when I’m just, ah, that’s not very good. You know, I’m never just like click out of that like autopilot flow state of just like, oh, that was bada**.
The Impact of Hocevar’s Distinctive Driving Style
As one of the most polarizing young talents in NASCAR, Carson Hocevar continues to draw attention due to his fearlessness and refusal to yield to pressure from critics. While his aggressive racing style keeps him at the center of many high-profile incidents, it also fuels ongoing discussions within the sport about risk versus reward.
Hocevar’s determination to maintain his instinct-driven approach suggests he will keep challenging competitors aggressively in upcoming races, making his career one to watch closely. His style forces the sport and its fans to grapple with the balance of excitement and safety on the track, underscoring the complex dynamics that define modern NASCAR.
