Carson Hocevar, the Spire Motorsports driver known for his uncompromising and fierce racing tactics, credits his aggressive style to the influence of Ross Chastain. The young driver, whose approach has divided opinions in the racing community, traced his mindset back to a pivotal experience during his debut at the Martinsville Truck Series.
Hocevar’s aggressive approach is a reflection of what he learned from Chastain, who was not only his mentor during their time together at Niece Motorsports but also a driver renowned for his unyielding competitiveness. This connection helped shape Hocevar’s resolve to dominate on the track rather than be pushed around by other drivers.
How a Tough First Martinsville Race Fueled Hocevar’s Fighting Spirit
During Hocevar’s first Martinsville Truck Series race, he faced intense challenges that tested his resolve. Despite starting strong on the front row, he was aggressively spun out twice—once at the first corner when another driver backed him into the fence, and again after fighting back into the top five. The young racer’s frustration grew from feeling unfairly targeted by rivals early in his career.
I studied Ross when I was, because we were at Niece. My first time at Martinsville, I got on the front row, spun me out. First corner. Just backed me right in the fence, got back up to fifth, spun me out again.
—Carson Hocevar, via Dale Jr. Download podcast
At the same time, Hocevar observed how Ross Chastain experienced a solid day on the track without being bothered by competitors. The key difference, he realized, was Chastain’s reputation for playing hardball and aggressively defending his position, often forcing rivals off their line or out of contention.
And I left that race track saying, ‘I will never, I’m not going to be the f***ing guy that gets beat around. Especially when I have Ross in the shop, I’m like, ‘He just annihilates everybody. They never give it back to him. They don’t do anything.
—Carson Hocevar
This mindset shift was significant for Hocevar, marking the moment he decided to stop being a victim on the track and start racing with the ruthless confidence exemplified by his mentor.
Racing Mostly on Instinct: Hocevar’s Autopilot Approach
When discussing his racing style, Hocevar admitted that much of his performance happens instinctively. Despite being only 22, he emphasized that many actions behind the wheel occur on autopilot rather than through deliberate calculation. This method, while helpful for quick reflexes, can sometimes lead to mistakes when he overthinks particular moments.
Yeah, I mean, I mean, I’m 22 now, right? I’ve raced for a long time. I think the biggest thing for me is like I realize that there are certain things you just can’t change. You’re instinctly [sic] – you know, when I race, I don’t, s**t, I don’t half the time, know what I’m doing. It’s just autopilot.
—Carson Hocevar
Hocevar illustrated this with a recent example from the Chicago Street race, where he qualified third but felt he could have been much closer to the pole position if he had trusted his instincts rather than over-planned his approach to a key corner.
You know, when I ran Chicago last week, we were qualifying and we qualified third, but we actually should have qualified a tenth off SVG. Actually, the only corner I remember and like thought of just like, I had a thought of how I’m going to approach this corner, I lost four and a half tenths. I completely f***ed it up.
—Carson Hocevar
The young driver’s candidness about mistakes made when deviating from his natural style highlights his talent for riding the flow of the race, underscoring how rare and valuable such instinctive driving ability is in NASCAR.
The Lasting Influence of Ross Chastain on Hocevar’s Aggressive Tactics
Hocevar’s aggressive racing style, shaped heavily by Chastain’s example, stands out in today’s competitive racing landscape. Chastain’s reputation for fearlessly bulldozing his way through the field set a precedent that Hocevar aims to emulate, blending youthful intensity with veteran-like ruthlessness.
Even as Chastain has matured over his career and refined his approach, Hocevar maintains a similar level of intensity on the track, often using aggressive lines and moves to disrupt opponents. Their shared history at Niece Motorsports remains a foundational part of Hocevar’s driving philosophy.
What This Means for Hocevar’s Future in NASCAR
The connection between Hocevar and Chastain signals a continuation of a fearless racing tradition that can spoil rivals’ plans and create memorable battles in cup and truck series events. Hocevar’s commitment to aggressive racing backed by instinct could make him one of the sport’s most formidable contenders, especially as he continues to gain experience and sharpen his skills.
By fully embracing the lessons learned from Chastain, Hocevar is positioning himself to be a leading force on the track, one who refuses to back down and instead takes the fight to his competitors. As the NASCAR season unfolds, observers will be watching how this intense style serves him against seasoned veterans and rising stars alike.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did Ross Chastain hit the wall?
A. During a feud with Denny Hamlin, NASCAR stepped in and told Hamlin he had already made his point. Later in the same race, Chastain collided with Chase Elliott, causing Elliott to spin out. On the restart, Elliott forced Chastain toward the wall, while Hamlin squeezed by to show his annoyance again.
Q. What is the Ross Chastain rule?
A. On Tuesday, NASCAR revealed several rule changes for the 2023 season, with one standing out. A new rule bans the exciting wall-riding move used by Ross Chastain in last fall’s “Hail Melon” at Martinsville.
