Carson Hocevar, currently in his second year racing in the NASCAR Cup Series with Spire Motorsports, has become a central figure in discussions within the motorsport community, particularly regarding the controversial Carson Hocevar Dale Earnhardt comparison controversy. Despite his impressive speed and bold driving style, critics including former racer and team owner Tommy Baldwin strongly reject comparisons between Hocevar and the legendary seven-time NASCAR champion Dale Earnhardt Sr. Baldwin publicly dismissed any notion that Hocevar could be considered the next Dale Sr., openly challenging the popular parallels some, including Dale Earnhardt Jr., have drawn.
Tommy Baldwin Denounces Comparisons Between Hocevar and Dale Earnhardt Sr.
Tommy Baldwin, who now serves as Competition Director for Rick Ware Racing, voiced his opposition during a recent episode of the Door Bumper Clear podcast. Baldwin expressed frustration over the frequent comparisons between Carson Hocevar and Dale Earnhardt Sr., emphasizing that Hocevar lacks the essence and racing acumen that defined the iconic former champion. He urged fans and commentators to stop attributing Earnhardt Sr.’s legacy to the young driver.
Baldwin underlined that Hocevar appears to misunderstand what it means to race like Earnhardt Sr., highlighting a fundamental discrepancy in racing approach. He criticized Hocevar for what he perceives as reckless driving, claiming Earnhardt Sr. was more strategic with contact during races rather than blatantly wrecking opponents.
There will never, ever, ever be another Dale Earnhardt. I don’t want to hear that, especially at Carson Hocevar. Never, ever, is he going to be a Dale Earnhardt, okay? So, that pisses me off, number one. Number two is, you can get behind people without wrecking them and get by them with just nudging them a little bit. Come on.
—Tommy Baldwin, Competition Director
Baldwin firmly believes Earnhardt Sr.’s style involved subtle nudges to disrupt rivals’ momentum rather than noticeable crashes. This distinction is central to Baldwin’s argument that Hocevar’s aggressive, sometimes reckless behavior does not align with the late legend’s tactics. He insists that no driver, especially Hocevar, should be regarded as a modern-day Dale Earnhardt.
Concerns Raised by Steve Letarte Over Hocevar’s Aggressive Tactics
Steve Letarte, NASCAR veteran and Amazon Prime race analyst, added his voice on the controversy during the Dale Jr. Download podcast. Letarte expressed frustration specifically with Hocevar’s frequent involvement in wrecking lesser-known or underdog drivers, rather than front-runners, which makes it harder to excuse his aggressive driving.
Letarte revealed that his criticism stems partly from a sense of favoritism toward drivers who are considered underdogs, like Ricky Stenhouse Jr., whom Hocevar has collided with multiple times. He admitted he might have been more lenient if Hocevar’s aggressive moves were targeting top-tier competitors, but the fact that underdogs are the ones most affected fuels his disdain.
I wonder if that’s not why I’m harder on Carson. If he would be wrecking (William) Byron or (Christopher) Bell or one of these front runners, I’d be like, ‘Let’s cut the kid some slack. Like, it’s going to be okay.’ But he keeps wrecking this guy that I’m cheering for as the underdog.
—Steve Letarte, NASCAR analyst and former crew chief
Letarte also criticized Hocevar for not practicing what he preaches, pointing out the disconnect between Hocevar’s promises to be more cautious and his continued aggressive incidents on track. This skepticism has grown since Hocevar’s wreck at Mexico while laps down, which seemed to contradict his earlier commitments to cleaner racing.
He’s an underdog wrecking another underdog, I’m like, ‘Man, what are y’all doing?’ Like this is already hard enough. I wanted to believe (Hocevar) after Nashville and then after he ran over (Stenhouse) in Mexico, being a lap down, I’m like, ‘Man, what you say and what you do are not aligning.’
—Steve Letarte, NASCAR analyst and former crew chief
Why the Comparisons Stir Divided Opinions in NASCAR Circles
Carson Hocevar’s aggressive, fearless approach has drawn admiration from some veteran drivers, including Dale Earnhardt Jr., who sees traces of the old Earnhardt fighting spirit in Hocevar’s driving style. However, many experienced NASCAR insiders disagree with this comparison, arguing that the young driver’s lack of racecraft and frequent on-track incidents do not honor the legendary legacy of Dale Sr.
While Hocevar demonstrates the raw speed and tenacity necessary to compete at the highest level, his consistency and race management skills remain under scrutiny. Baldwin and Letarte’s comments reflect broader concerns about whether Hocevar’s aggressive demeanor is a sign of future greatness or a liability in the highly competitive Cup Series environment.
Importantly, the continued debate over the Carson Hocevar Dale Earnhardt comparison controversy underscores the challenges faced by young drivers trying to carve out their own identity in a sport dominated by legends. Baldwin’s insistence that “never, ever” will Hocevar be another Dale Sr. signifies a recognition of Earnhardt’s unparalleled legacy while setting a demanding standard for the next generation.
Looking Ahead: Hocevar’s Path Within NASCAR
As Hocevar’s career progresses, his ability to refine his driving style while harnessing his natural aggressiveness will be key to his success. The dismissive reactions from established figures like Baldwin and Letarte suggest that the young driver must demonstrate maturity and learning on the track before further comparisons to Earnhardt Sr. can be taken seriously.
Despite the criticism, Hocevar remains one of the few competitors today who embodies a fighting spirit reminiscent of Dale Earnhardt Sr., keeping the conversation alive about whether a new icon is emerging in NASCAR. The scrutiny he faces is indicative of the high expectations within the sport and the challenge that comes with living up to such a formidable name.
