Carson Hocevar, the 22-year-old Spire Motorsports driver, recently addressed the chaotic moment in Mexico City that reignited his intense feud with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Hocevar owned up to what he called “the biggest brain fade ever” after he lost focus and struck Stenhouse’s car with only five laps remaining in NASCAR’s first-ever international race.
Details Behind Hocevar’s Mental Break During the Race
On a candid episode of The Dale Jr. Download, Hocevar shared his side of the story, explaining the series of events that led to the crash. His original goal was to help Stenhouse by pushing him along the track, especially on the long straightaways in Mexico City’s high-altitude environment, where horsepower is limited.
I saw him in front of me, and he was kind of like pushing up, and so I was trying to help him,
Hocevar recalled. However, this good intention quickly dissolved into a loss of control on the challenging 15-turn track.
He admitted that he mentally checked out during a crucial moment, describing how he basically became a passenger in his own car instead of actively controlling it.
I just had the biggest brain fade ever. I just got in the corner and I was like, ‘Oh f*** there’s a corner here.’ And so I went to the brakes. I locked up,
Hocevar confessed.
I just kind of got zoned out. I was just like, you know, just banging gears. Just like, oh, now it’s like five to go and I’m just like, ‘caution’s not going to come out.’ Yeah, yep, yep. You know, this feels normal.
The situation was so unusual that Hocevar’s team feared he might have passed out or experienced a medical emergency, given that his car maintained a straight course without any evasive action. Despite this, Hocevar remained fully conscious but detached from the intense demands of the race.
Stenhouse’s Reaction and the Heightened Tensions Post-Race
The aftermath of the crash left many puzzled, particularly Hocevar’s crew and fellow driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr., who was visibly enraged after the race. Stenhouse approached Hocevar immediately, confronting him with sharp words and a clear threat.
I’m going to beat your a** when we get back to the States.
Stenhouse declared.
The hostility stemmed partly from this being the second clash between the two drivers within a three-week span. Previously at Nashville, Hocevar had spun Stenhouse into the wall during aggressive racing. Unlike that deliberate incident, Hocevar described the Mexico City collision as a complete mental lapse, something even he struggled to comprehend.
What This Means for Hocevar and the Feud Moving Forward
Hocevar recognizes that retaliation from Stenhouse is likely inevitable, and he has mentally prepared himself for the consequences. He acknowledges that racing comes with mistakes, some with more severe fallout than others, and this event clearly falls into the latter category. Accepting responsibility, Hocevar shows a conflicted awareness of the tense rivalry that has escalated between him and Stenhouse.
This feud now carries added intensity heading into upcoming races, underscoring how moments of lost focus can have significant effects in highly competitive environments like NASCAR. Observers and fans alike will be watching closely to see how both drivers respond as the season progresses, and whether this confrontation will further influence race dynamics and personal interactions on the track.
