Carson Hocevar has openly criticized the pretense among NASCAR Cup Series drivers, accusing several rivals of feigning friendships. The outspoken 22-year-old American driver called out these false relationships during interviews held at Dover in the midst of the 2024 racing season, revealing the underlying tensions fueling ongoing disputes within the sport.
Since becoming a full-time competitor this year, Hocevar has sparked controversy through aggressive maneuvers on the track and a high-profile incident off it, when he apologized after making offensive remarks about Mexico City during a Twitch stream. Despite these controversies, Hocevar remains unapologetic about his competitive attitude and blunt communication style. Addressing reporters, he said,
“It’s just racing. Sometimes stuff happens. We’re all in the limit of everything. Of all people, I’m on the limit of everything. So, yeah, it doesn’t bother me.”
Hocevar openly criticizes insincerity among drivers
Hocevar described the public camaraderie between many drivers as merely performative. He remarked,
“I don’t really like the whole ‘have to call’ and do that and have to apologize on Monday, say whatever. Because, I mean, even if you do it intentionally or not, you’re never going to say that to the person.”
The Spire Motorsports driver expanded further on his views, rejecting the idea of orchestrated friendships just for appearances, calling it “a pony show.”
When asked if avoiding friendly ties simplifies the reluctance to offer apologies, Hocevar confirmed,
“Sure. Yeah, it does. I don’t know. I just don’t like fakeness. I like genuineness, and I know how I am as a driver, and I think we’re all two-faced, so I just might as well just cut it at the cord and know my friends are my friends.”
This frank assertion highlights how Hocevar distances himself emotionally from many rivals, instead valuing authenticity over surface-level interactions.
Lonely alliances and fiery rivalries shape Hocevar’s season
Throughout his NASCAR career, Hocevar has maintained a notably solitary social approach, reportedly only spending time with fellow driver Bubba Wallace from 23XI Racing. This isolation accompanies a season filled with confrontations, including altercations with Ryan Blaney, Ross Chastain, and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. These conflicts have added to the tense atmosphere among competitors in the Cup Series.
Veteran driver Denny Hamlin cautioned Hocevar that his aggressive temperament might intensify hostilities, warning that such behavior could “fuel the fire.” Meanwhile, NASCAR’s competitive environment continues to grow more fractious, compounded by recent disciplinary penalties impacting teams such as Penske, which further exemplifies the strained relationships and mounting pressures within the sport.
Hocevar’s blunt remarks and dismissive stance on the manufactured pleasantries reflect a broader unrest among drivers, suggesting that raw competition and personal tensions are becoming increasingly visible in the Cup Series. As these rivalries persist, they are likely to impact both on-track dynamics and off-track interactions throughout the rest of the season.
