In the wake of a tense NASCAR Cup Series race in Nashville, Denny Hamlin has joined other former drivers in warning rising star Carson Hocevar about the consequences of his aggressive racing style. The caution comes after an on-track clash between Hocevar and Ricky Stenhouse Jr., which caused Stenhouse to crash out of the event. This buildup of tension highlights the growing conflict inside the Cup Series garage.
Warnings from NASCAR Veterans Highlight Growing Conflict
Carson Hocevar’s performance captured attention, especially with his second-place finish at the Nashville race, but his confrontational approach raised concerns among seasoned drivers. Both Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Carl Edwards addressed Hocevar’s driving after the race. Earnhardt praised Hocevar’s entertainment value but criticized his tendency to target “good guys” on the track, reminding him of the importance of choosing battles wisely.
“I like what I see out of Hocevar. As a fan and a broadcaster, it is entertaining, I just don’t like it when he wrecks the good guy, you know? I know Stenhouse has had his issues, too, but you kinda gotta pick and choose who your enemies are, and you can’t just kind of blanket the garage, right?” —Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR commentator and former driver
Edwards echoed the sentiment that Hocevar’s bold moves bring excitement but warned that the racing community will eventually respond firmly.
“So, I don’t know that I want him to dial it off or dial it back because it’s great as a fan to see him in controversy. We need a little color, we need a little personality, and he brings tons of it. But the garage kind of will police it a little bit. To your point, Corey, nobody’s really stepped to him just yet, but I think he might have messed with the wrong guy tonight.” —Carl Edwards, former NASCAR driver
Denny Hamlin Predicts Retaliation from Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Denny Hamlin, known for his long tenure and respected voice in NASCAR, expanded on the warnings, addressing the inevitable backlash Hocevar faces. On his podcast, Hamlin stressed that Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will retaliate against Hocevar soon, an outcome he is certain about.
“The Amazon guys described this perfectly, Like, when I listened to the post-race, I thought they did a phenomenal job of saying and Carl said, ‘Eventually, they’ll be a price.’ You’re gonna be running really well and you can take this to the book: Ricky Stenhouse will absolutely wreck Carson Hocevar sometime in the near future. That’s just a fact. I’d put this week’s salary on it. I’m not kidding you. He ain’t gonna punch him in the face, but he will absolutely wreck him because Ricky’s that kind of guy who is going to feed into people saying, ‘Are you going to get him?’” —Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver
Hamlin warned Hocevar directly to be prepared for the consequences and noted the event as near inevitable.
“If you’re Carson, just know that it’s coming. So, don’t be surprised. … There’s nothing I’m more confident of right now other than Jordan [Fish] having a baby and Ricky wrecking Carson. I just feel that is inevitable. I don’t think there’s anything Carson can say.” —Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver
Implications for the NASCAR Cup Series
The warnings from well-established figures like Denny Hamlin, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Carl Edwards illuminate a turning point for Carson Hocevar’s career and temperament on the track. While his aggressive tactics generate excitement and a distinct personality, they also risk provoking strong retaliation that could impact his racing future. With such high-profile attention focused on this rivalry, NASCAR fans and insiders will be watching closely to see how this brewing conflict unfolds.
