Carson Hocevar was set to earn a top-10 finish during Sunday’s NASCAR event at Sonoma Raceway, but his afternoon was derailed when Josh Berry made contact with Hocevar’s right rear quarter panel with only three laps remaining, causing him to spin off into the grass. This unexpected collision halted Hocevar’s strong run in Wine Country and intensified attention on the Josh Berry Sonoma Race Incident.
Hocevar Reacts to Unexpected Spinout on Twitch
On Monday night, Hocevar addressed the crash during his Twitch livestream, expressing surprise and frustration that Berry—of all drivers—had caused him to spin out. Hocevar conveyed confusion about the contact, emphasizing that he did not see any reason for the move.
“I didn’t do anything. I was just like ‘Man, of all people to wreck me.’ I thought it would be somebody like I had it coming. I don’t know what I did. It’s just like, ‘well shit.'” —Carson Hocevar, Driver
He continued, explaining his inability to understand why Berry’s action occurred especially at that particular corner.
“Why did I get dumped yesterday? I don’t know, I didn’t do anything. I was just like, ‘Man, of all people to wreck me.’ Thought it would be somebody like I had it coming. Don’t know what I did,” —Carson Hocevar, Driver
Despite the incident, Hocevar noted his passion for the roughness of the sport and his readiness for the physicality involved.
“It’s just like, ‘Well, shit.’ And through strategy, we get to fifth and then I wreck. It’s just like, ‘Ah, whatever.’ But it’s just racing, man. Just racing. It is what it is. I like full contact sport. So, it’s just like, ‘F*ck yeah, man. Let’s get it on.’ That’s what I’ve been dying for. I’ve been giving some and I get some [back], so it’s like, ‘C’mon, let’s go.’ I don’t why it was that corner or what I did.” —Carson Hocevar, Driver
Frustrations Build After Promising Stages
Hocevar described the day at Sonoma as a rollercoaster, initially struggling but then climbing to a strong running position before the final crash dashed hopes of a solid finish. His vivid assessment laid bare his disappointment with the unpredictable nature of the racing weekend.
“I think what’s disappointing is that it was an unbelievably terrible day that we somehow put it together and then it was like, ‘Nope, never mind.’ It was like the opposite of our whole year where Stage 1 and Stage 2, it’s like we’re a top tier team, and then by Stage 3, it’s oh by the way, we’re Spire Motorsports again. Where like this one, I’m just like, ‘Well, this is f*cking hilarious.’ We have the biggest shitshow in Stage 1 and Stage 2 and then we finished eighth. And then it’s like, ‘Oh, never mind, you still finished 32nd. Get f*cked, loser.’ I’m just like, ‘Aw, damn it, that’s lame.’” —Carson Hocevar, Driver
This colorful commentary from Hocevar reveals his raw feelings toward a day where his efforts unraveled in the closing stages, despite an encouraging start.
Hocevar’s Ongoing Struggles and Playoff Chances
Sunday’s result marked yet another tough finish for Hocevar, who fell from eighth place down to 32nd in the closing laps. This race extended a troubling pattern: he has finished 29th or worse in four of the last six events, slipping further from the NASCAR Cup Series playoff picture.
His recent run of difficulties is compounded by tension with other drivers on the circuit. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., among others, has vowed retaliation after past on-track incidents involving Hocevar. Just the prior week, Austin Dillon harshly criticized him, labeling Hocevar the
biggest dumbass in the entire sport.
Given this climate, the unexpected spin caused by Josh Berry stands out, as Hocevar did not anticipate Berry’s involvement in such a conflict. Although it hasn’t yet ignited a direct rivalry, this incident places a spotlight on their dynamic as the NASCAR field heads into the upcoming race at Dover Motor Speedway this weekend.
Looking Ahead: Potential Tensions at Dover
With tension simmering across the NASCAR circuit and recent confrontations involving Hocevar, the Josh Berry Sonoma Race Incident adds another layer of unpredictability to the season. Fans and teams alike will be watching closely at Dover Motor Speedway for any signs of escalating rivalries or payback attempts.
Hocevar’s blend of frustration and eagerness for physical racing suggests that future matchups could be charged with intensity, making his next performances critical both for playoff prospects and personal reputation.
