Carson Hocevar’s 2025 NASCARseason has been marked by aggressive driving and frequent on-track incidents, raising questions about how far his bold tactics will go. His latest clash at Watkins Glen with Michael McDowell sparked widespread discussion across the sport, focusing attention on Hocevar’s confrontational style and whether anyone can control his actions during races. Dale Earnhardt Jr. has publicly expressed concern that no one in Hocevar’s team is currently intervening to rein in his chaotic approach.
The incident unfolded on Lap 52 at Watkins Glen when McDowell made contact with Hocevar’s No. 77 car, spinning him out in Turn 1. Despite the setback, Hocevar battled back without caution help and retaliated on the final lap by forcefully bumping McDowell, securing the 18th position at the finish line. This sequence reignited fierce debate about whether Hocevar’s behavior reflects competitive spirit or recklessness, with Dale Jr. suggesting that the driver’s support circle might be enabling the conduct rather than curbing it.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Highlights Lack of Team Intervention
Discussing the incident on the Dale Jr. Download podcast alongside TJ Majors, Dale Earnhardt Jr. pointed out that without direct intervention from Hocevar’s crew chief or teamowners, the driver is unlikely to change his approach. Earnhardt said,
Image of: Carson Hocevar
“Until his crew chief or his owners outright go, ‘Carson… come on man, stop it,’ he’s not gonna make the adjustments… I don’t think they see a problem with it.”
He further added,
“I don’t think they see a problem with messing with you. Until I see evidence that they had… they don’t like doing that, you know?”
These remarks suggest that Hocevar’s team may still tacitly approve or overlook his aggressive tactics, contributing to the ongoing chaos on the track.
Hocevar’s contentious racing style is not limited to McDowell. Over the season, he has been involved in several high-profile confrontations, each adding to the tension surrounding his driving. A heated encounter with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. escalated tempers in the pit area, another collision with Austin Dillon caused a multi-car wreck, and a bitter dispute following a spin with Zane Smith even led to a crew confrontation in the garage.
Despite attempts by others to retaliate, including Zane Smith’s effort to “put him on casters”—a motorsports phrase signifying an attempt to sideline a competitor—Hocevar remains relentless. This persistence has kept him at the center of NASCAR’s ongoing drama, fueling the question of whether he is the sport’s newest “bad boy” or simply a misunderstood newcomer still learning the boundaries.
Intensified Disputes at Watkins Glen Raise Stakes
The situation at Watkins Glen exemplified the week’s building tensions. Even before the Sunday race, during qualifying, Hocevar clashed with veteran Brad Keselowski after intentionally slowing in front of him, feeling blocked. Keselowski reacted by describing his own attempts to avoid Hocevar, saying,
“On the track, I was just trying to get out of Carson’s way, but then Carson thought I had blocked him.”
This confrontation set the tone for what would become a highly charged race day.
The actual race saw Hocevar and McDowell collide multiple times, culminating in Hocevar’s spin and subsequent payback bump. Despite instructions from his team during the cooldown lap to “let him go” and cool down, Hocevar remained defiant, expressing in his post-race remarks that he has no interest in making peace. He stated,
“I don’t want to talk to him, look at him, do not let him near me. No, we haven’t talked or whatever. He wanted to sit down and talk at Richmond. I’m gone racing, and he’s gone as well. Maybe it’s the best-case scenario that we’re both gone.”
Michael McDowell took a noticeably more measured tone regarding the incident. Acknowledging his own past mistakes in his career, he showed willingness to forgive, saying,
“I’m easygoing, and you all have seen I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my career. So, I don’t ever get sideways when somebody comes up and says, ‘Hey, I misjudged that, made a mistake. If he wants to have a conversation, sure, no problem… We’ll just have that conversation.”
However, McDowell also conveyed frustration over repeated contact, adding,
“The thing that leaves me a little bit frustrated right now is they kept running into me and then I got crashed.”
This contrast highlights the growing divide within NASCAR as aggressive young drivers like Hocevar push boundaries and veterans like McDowell seek cleaner, more respectful competition.
What Lies Ahead for Carson Hocevar and NASCAR’s Turf Wars?
Dale Earnhardt Jr. remains intrigued but cautious as Hocevar’s season unfolds, noting that while the driver’s antics provide entertainment, there might be a tipping point. Should Hocevar’s aggression extend to damaging his own team’s equipment, Earnhardt suggests this could prompt serious internal discussions about limiting his behavior. For now, Hocevar continues to polarize fans, drivers, and insiders alike, leaving the wider racing community to debate whether his approach represents boldness or a reckless threat to the sport’s integrity.
As the NASCARseason progresses, all eyes will be on whether Hocevar’s team addresses his conduct or if his driving style escalates, potentially reshaping the nature of competition and rivalry on track. With tensions already boiling, the answer to whether Hocevar can be stopped remains uncertain.
