Carson Hocevar has been embraced by NASCAR insiders with the nickname “Hurricane Hocevar,” reflecting his rapid rise on the track this season. The moniker surfaced during the Iowa Corn 350 at Iowa Speedway, where Hocevar impressed with a strong P8 finish, marking his sixth top-10 result this year.
On The Teardown podcast, Jeff Gluck and Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic discussed this nickname, highlighting how it fits Hocevar’s driving style. Gluck noted how the nickname quickly caught on following a comment by announcer Leigh Diffey during the race broadcast.
I could see it growing on me. Obviously, Leigh Diffey had thought about that one. …The first moment he had something, he’s like, ‘The Hurricane!’ You’re like, ‘Oh, okay. That kind of makes sense.’ He kind of moves fast, he’s destructive, he’s a force.
—Jeff Gluck, NASCAR reporter
Bianchi expressed support for creating more memorable nicknames in the current NASCAR roster, comparing them to the iconic nicknames of past drivers.
You go back in the day and you had ‘Wonder Boy,’ ‘Smoke,’ ‘The Intiminator,’ ‘King,’ ‘Jaws,’ the list goes on,
he explained. What do we have here?
Denny Hamlin reflects on sharing the racer “Hurricane” nickname
Denny Hamlin, a prominent NASCAR figure, recalled how he was dubbed “Hurricane Hamlin” during his early racing days in Virginia, a nickname that did not follow him into his NASCAR career. His experience adds an interesting perspective to Hocevar’s emerging moniker.
Hurricane Hamlin. It’s been around for years. I’ve got t-shirts,
Hamlin remarked. Although the nickname faded for him, Hamlin expressed no objection to Hocevar adopting it.
I don’t give a shit, it’s whatever. … Just call him whatever you want. It’s fine,
Hamlin said, demonstrating a relaxed attitude toward the shared nickname. Hocevar will aim to continue his “Hurricane” impact at the upcoming Watkins Glen race on Sunday.
Hocevar credits teamwork amid challenging race moments
After the Iowa race, Hocevar praised the efforts of his team, especially crew chief Jeff Dickerson, for their ability to recover from difficult situations and finish strong. Hocevar described moments during the race when the vehicle was not performing well but emphasized their resilience.
It was just another work of art from Jeff Dickerson, wanting us to fight through adversity and be able to come out with a good result,
Hocevar said, as reported by Nate Ryan of NBC Sports. He added that they focused on resetting and regrouping after being turned around on the track.
Nickname’s significance and its place in NASCAR culture
The “Hurricane Hocevar” nickname captures both the aggressive speed and the disruptive style Hocevar brings to the track, echoing the legacy of prominent NASCAR nicknames that highlighted drivers’ personalities or racing styles. This kind of branding often helps fans connect more strongly with drivers, creating a narrative that extends beyond lap times and finishes.
As Hocevar continues to rise in prominence with multiple top-10 finishes, the nickname may help solidify his identity within the sport. With support from voices like Gluck, Bianchi, and Hamlin, the label “Hurricane Hocevar” could become a permanent part of NASCAR’s contemporary lexicon.
The upcoming Watkins Glen event will offer another stage for Hocevar to demonstrate why the “Hurricane” nickname suits his racing approach, potentially further cementing his reputation as a formidable competitor on the circuit.
