Ricky Stenhouse Jr. of HYAK Motorsports has openly expressed his frustration over the ongoing NASCAR rivalry with Carson Hocevar following their collision at the inaugural points-paying Cup Series race held in Mexico City. The incident occurred late in the race at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, reigniting tensions between the two drivers that have been building over recent weeks.
Stenhouse Jr. was spun out by Hocevar with only ten laps remaining, marking the second time in three races that Hocevar’s car caused Stenhouse to lose control. This altercation came shortly after a discussion between the two about previous contact at Nashville Superspeedway, where Hocevar’s car made contact with Stenhouse’s vehicle. Before the spin, Stenhouse Jr. felt his position would secure a finish inside the top 20, but the crash cost him valuable points in the playoff standings.
Shane van Gisbergen emerged as the winner of the Mexico City race, moving Stenhouse Jr. further down in the playoff hunt and placing him 61 points shy of the cutoff line for the upcoming eliminations. While Stenhouse Jr. has addressed this rivalry multiple times in recent media appearances, he admitted he is growing weary of discussing Hocevar or giving him further attention.
“For me, I’m tired of giving the kid any publicity, anyway, I don’t know how it’s going to play itself out, but it will.”
— Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Driver, HYAK Motorsports
“I don’t know where it goes or what happens, but we’ve got a job to do over here, and that’s to claw our way back in the points. That line got tougher with SVG winning. We know next weekend is a very good opportunity for us to get the job done and win,” he added.
— Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Driver, HYAK Motorsports
Both drivers now turn their focus toward the Great American Getaway 400 at Pocono Raceway on Sunday, June 22, where they hope to improve their standings and solidify their playoff chances.
Carson Hocevar Shares His Perspective on the Continuing Conflict
Carson Hocevar also reflected on the escalating feud with Ricky Stenhouse Jr., particularly after their recent clash in Mexico City, which was a historic event being the first points-paying NASCAR Cup race held outside the United States in the modern era. The friction between the two started earlier this season at Nashville when Hocevar made contact with Stenhouse, leading to his early exit from the race.
In a conversation ahead of the upcoming race at Pocono, Hocevar expressed uncertainty about how to resolve the situation, emphasizing the accidental nature of their incidents and the difficulty in repairing their relationship. He candidly remarked on the futility of trying to fix the issue with simple gestures:
“Unfortunately, I’m not sure what I would say. There’s nothing that really would change it. We’ve already had that conversation (before Michigan). We have a good relationship — or had one. Just locked up in a very dumb spot. Was just so dumb. Just a mistake that didn’t need to happen and didn’t want it to happen. There’s nothing I can do or say. I can’t go buy him a Hallmark card and make it better.”
— Carson Hocevar, NASCAR Driver
Following the race in Mexico, Stenhouse Jr. confronted Hocevar on pit road, voicing his anger and warning of consequences when the competition returns to tracks in the United States.
Upcoming Race Will Test Playoff Hopes and Rivalry Dynamics
The rivalry between Stenhouse Jr. and Hocevar has added heightened tension to the NASCAR Cup Series playoff landscape. With Stenhouse Jr. now 61 points behind the elimination cutoff, every race, including the Great American Getaway 400, becomes crucial for reclaiming position. Hocevar’s involvement in multiple incidents with Stenhouse Jr. has drawn significant attention, and both drivers will be under pressure to perform while managing their personal conflict.
As the season progresses, how this rivalry will affect their performances and potential playoff success remains uncertain. Both competitors recognize the importance of shifting their focus back to racing, but unresolved tensions may continue to influence their encounters on the track.
