In a surprising move during the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Watkins Glen in August 2025, Carson Hocevar displayed a rare act of sportsmanship toward his rival Zane Smith, signaling potential redemption after a contentious incident at Iowa Speedway. Denny Hamlin publicly recognized Hocevar’s effort to make amends, highlighting the evolving dynamic between the two drivers on the track. This development underscores how Hocevar is attempting to rectify past mistakes amid growing tensions in the 2025 racing season.
Known as a driver who fiercely divides opinions, Hocevar has often been seen as personable yet aggressive, especially in the NextGen car. During the Iowa race, his aggressive move resulted in contact with Zane Smith that sent Smith spinning into the SAFER barrier, igniting resentment and expectations of retaliation. However, at Watkins Glen, a different narrative unfolded.
Late in the race, Hocevar intentionally allowed Smith to pass him, conceding 17th place, and after the race, he approached Smith’s car on pit road to offer a personal message. Hocevar said,
“Hey, I know that doesn’t make up for it, but you can expect that in the next couple weeks, OK?”
– a rare admission acknowledging his prior error without fanfare.
Denny Hamlin, a prominent competitor and veteran voice within NASCAR, expressed surprise but approval of Hocevar’s approach, stating,
“And [Hocevar] said, ‘Hey I know that doesn’t make up for it, but you can expect that in the next couple of weeks.’ This is where we have to recognise that he’s saying what he’s saying publicly. Then he’s doing something else privately. He’s clearly acknowledging that he messed up with Zane at Iowa. Unintentionally wrecked him at Iowa, and so he’s trying to pay back favors on the race track to make good of that.”
What Triggered the Shift: The Iowa Collision and Its Fallout
The root of this tension can be traced back to the Iowa Speedway race where Hocevar lost control and collided with Smith. As Hocevar attempted to navigate through traffic entering Turn 1, his car veered up the banking and struck Smith’s left rear, causing Smith to spin violently and crash into the wall. Smith retaliated with an apparent swipe at Hocevar’s car, intensifying their rivalry.
Before the Watkins Glen event, fans braced for heated exchanges, possibly even aggressive on-track revenge inspired by past drivers like Ricky Stenhouse Jr., who was fined $75,000 in 2024 for physically confronting Kyle Busch. Zane Smith himself expressed frustration, telling NASCAR.com,
“I personally can’t go have a conversation with him without getting a $75,000 fine,”
adding bluntly,
“Yeah, he’s just a dumb [expletive]. That’s just how it is.”
Despite this buildup, instead of escalating, Hocevar’s conciliatory gestures at Watkins Glen surprised many observers. Co-host Jared Allen reinforced the sincerity of Hocevar’s behavior by pointing out that these gestures were not merely staged for public appearances but confirmed by Zane Smith’s in-car audio. Allen remarked,
“Right, wanting to keep the public persona one way and then obviously trying to do the right thing on the race track. I have no issues with. If he chooses to sit right in front of the guy that he wrecked last week, more than likely, you’re going to get sent. Probably a good idea on his part to get out of the way, and should, like he said, over the next few weeks.”
Hocevar’s Emotional Response and Social Media Apology
The emotional undercurrent in Hocevar’s recent actions became clearer following a crash-filled race at Watkins Glen, which featured multiple overtime restarts and chaotic moments on the 2.45-mile road course. Watching the incidents unfold from the sidelines stirred a sense of guilt within Hocevar, prompting a social media apology that caught many followers by surprise.
In a candid post, Hocevar wrote,
“I am currently watching all these wrecks. so I apologize. I feel guilty by association. will do better moving forward.”
This message came after a season marked by numerous collisions involving Hocevar, including clashes with Zane Smith at Iowa, spinning Ty Gibbs at Nashville, and other entanglements earlier at Phoenix and Bristol.
The sincerity behind his promise to improve remains unconfirmed, but the reaction from veteran drivers and NASCAR insiders suggests that Hocevar may genuinely be reflecting on his conduct. His recent overture at Watkins Glen aligns with an intention to change his aggressive approach and foster better relationships on the race circuit.
Implications for NASCAR and the NextGen Era
Hocevar’s attempt at private redemption, with Denny Hamlin’s explicit support, hints at a quiet shift in NASCAR culture, especially concerning how drivers handle conflicts and rivalries. Hocevar’s efforts to balance his public image with behind-the-scenes goodwill challenge the typically confrontational atmosphere associated with aggressive racing personalities.
As NASCAR continues to evolve, particularly with the NextGen cars fostering closer racing and more frequent contact, drivers like Hocevar navigating these tensions constructively may set a new standard. Hamlin’s backing lends credibility to the notion that redemption and respect can coexist in high-stakes competition, potentially influencing how rivalries develop in the near future.
The coming races will reveal whether Hocevar’s pledge to improve and his conciliatory acts lead to a lasting shift in his racing behavior or if tensions with competitors like Smith resurface. In this high-pressure environment, maintaining respect will be critical not only for driver safety but also for the sport’s reputation as NASCAR seeks to captivate new and existing fans.
