Spire Motorsports driver Carson Hocevar recently opened up about the Cup Series race at Watkins Glen, where he deliberately allowed his former teammate, Zane Smith, to pass during the event. This act was meant to make amends for a previous crash between the two at Iowa Speedway that left Smith frustrated.
The 22-year-old #77 Chevrolet ZL1 driver lost control while entering turn one at Iowa and collided with Smith’s #38 car, pushing it into the safety barrier. Smith had already been involved in multiple crashes before Iowa, none of which were his fault, which increased his frustration. In response, Hocevar chose to sacrifice a position at Watkins Glen to apologize and attempt to repair their racing relationship.
“if I could give that back in a spot that wasn’t going to cost me anything, hopefully that mends a little bit of their race car getting wrecked (at Iowa) — which wasn’t intentional by any means.”
—Carson Hocevar
Hocevar’s Reputation and the Reaction to His Apology
Known for his aggressive and relentless driving approach, Carson Hocevar has earned the nickname ‘Intimidator’ in NASCAR circles. This reputation has led to multiple clashes with other drivers throughout the season. Media observers viewed Hocevar’s move at Watkins Glen as a rare and meaningful attempt to ease tensions with Smith following the Iowa wreck.
Hocevar Discusses the Loneliness of NASCAR’s Competitive Environment
Beyond on-track incidents, Hocevar shared candid thoughts about the lack of friendships within the NASCAR community. In a conversation on the Dale Jr. Download podcast, hosted by Dale Earnhardt Jr., Hocevar admitted that he doesn’t consider any current Cup Series driver to be a friend. Even before reaching the top level, he rarely socialized with other racers.
When asked whether he spends time with other drivers, Hocevar responded plainly, “Nope.” He recalled only one occasion where he socialized off-track with fellow drivers Shane van Gisbergen and Bubba Wallace at Wallace’s property, highlighting the scarcity of such moments.
“I’ve only hung out one time with any other driver. It was SVG (Shane van Gisbergen) and Bubba (Wallace) at his property. One time.”
—Carson Hocevar
When further prompted about who he talks to the most among drivers, Hocevar replied with frustration:
“F**k, I don’t know […] Whoever I didn’t run into last week. I just know that I don’t really talk to anybody.”
—Carson Hocevar
Hocevar’s Progress and Performance in the 2024 Season
Despite the social challenges and on-track controversies, Hocevar’s performance this season has been strong. Now in his second year competing in the Cup Series, he has come close to scoring his first win multiple times. Notable finishes include second place at both the Atlanta Spring race and the Nashville Speedway event.
His consistency is evident in the numbers: two top-five finishes and four top-ten results have contributed to his standing at 20th place in the points championship so far this year. As he continues to grow as a driver, Hocevar faces not only the competitive pressures of NASCAR but also the personal challenge of navigating relationships within the sport.
