Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Richard Petty recently expressed his support for Carson Hocevar following the heated reaction to Hocevar’s aggressive driving at the EchoPark Speedway race on February 22, 2026. Speaking on Perry Family Racing’s YouTube channel, Petty praised Hocevar’s style, comparing the Spire Motorsports driver to the legendary Dale Earnhardt Sr. as he navigated a challenging Atlanta race.
Starting in the middle of the pack in the 271-lap contest, Hocevar steadily advanced through the field to contend with leading drivers in the final laps. His bold move on Christopher Bell during overtime, however, resulted in a crash that forced Bell to retire from the race. This controversial maneuver sparked criticism from fans and fellow competitors alike.
Despite the backlash, Petty defended Hocevar’s approach, suggesting that the young driver exhibits the same fearless attitude as Earnhardt, who was known for his hard-hitting style on the track.
“That boy in that 77, he has him a time. A lot of things he’s getting by with or doing are not really that wrong. If I go back and watch him run and stuff, he reminds me of Dale Earnhardt.”
Petty further elaborated on this comparison in a conversation with Dale Inman, emphasizing Hocevar’s tenacity.
“Earnhardt learned to get by with that stuff. That boy in the 77, he’s just going to have to learn to get by with the things that he’s doing,”
Inman suggested Hocevar should work on controlling his temperament, but Petty countered, noting that Earnhardt, famously nicknamed “The Intimidator,” never prioritized making friends on the track.
Denny Hamlin Expresses Concern Over Hocevar’s Driving Tactics
On the Actions Detrimental podcast, Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin addressed the divisive opinions surrounding Carson Hocevar’s aggressive style. Hamlin acknowledged that while fans and media enjoy the excitement Hocevar brings, fellow drivers find it more difficult to accept.
Recalling the incident with Christopher Bell, Hamlin warned Hocevar about the risks of such confrontational moves, emphasizing the sport’s cyclical nature of retribution.
“It’s tough to watch. The media loves it, by the way. If you want to see what the media thinks, just ask them, and they’ll tell you, ‘Ah, we love Hocevar.’ Well, no question you do because he’s giving you some content for you to talk about. As a competitor, though, like, eventually, it’s going to come back around.”
Hamlin cautioned that once Hocevar nears a potential race win, he may face retaliation from other drivers, a common occurrence in NASCAR. This situation adds to previous controversies involving Hocevar, who has faced penalties for safety violations and clashes with veterans such as Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Race Results Highlight Hocevar’s Performance Despite Controversy
Tyler Reddick secured his second win of the season by taking first place at the Autotrader 400, held at EchoPark Speedway, followed by Chase Briscoe and Ross Chastain rounding out the podium. Carson Hocevar finished strongly in fourth place, clocking his best lap at 29.78 seconds, demonstrating his competitive potential despite the criticism related to his driving style.
The ongoing debate around Hocevar’s approach underscores a broader tension in NASCAR between aggressive racing and sportsmanship. With endorsements from figures like Richard Petty and admonishments from veterans such as Denny Hamlin, Hocevar’s career trajectory will be closely watched by fans and peers this season and beyond.
“He reminds me of Dale Earnhardt.”
Fan Question submitted by X User, @DMurway.
Full recap of the race in Atlanta and more answers to fan questions on the Petty Family Racing YouTube channel. pic.twitter.com/juMFYuq0Jc
— Richard Petty (@therichardpetty) February 24, 2026
