Following the controversial Zane Smith wreck drama at Iowa Speedway, veteran NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin has sharply criticized Spire Motorsports’ Carson Hocevar for his reaction. Hamlin warns that Hocevar’s pursuit of social media attention after the collision will negatively impact his performance and relationships on the track moving forward.
Conflict Ignites After Iowa Speedway Incident
Carson Hocevar has recently become one of the most polarizing figures in NASCAR due to his aggressive driving style and unapologetic demeanor, both on and off the track. At Iowa Speedway last Sunday, Hocevar was involved in an incident that removed Front Row Motorsports’ Zane Smith from the race, which triggered strong reactions from Smith and his team. On the team radio, Smith expressed his frustration toward Hocevar, and after the race, a crew member from Front Row Motorsports confronted Hocevar about the crash.
Rather than de-escalate, Hocevar posted a video with Drake’s song “IDGAF” on Instagram, signaling his indifference toward the backlash. This only fueled the ongoing drama and drew attention from the NASCAR community, including Denny Hamlin.
Denny Hamlin Criticizes Hocevar’s Response to the Incident
In a recent episode of his Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin addressed the controversy and warned Hocevar that his dismissive attitude could be harmful in the long term. Hamlin explained that while the incident itself may have been an accident, brushing it off as “tough luck” and refusing to acknowledge fault could lead to more aggressive treatment from other drivers on the track.
“It seems like Carson is definitely brushing it off to say, ‘Tough luck, buddy.’ That’s a tough way to live… It hurts you in the long run. If that’s the attitude you wanna have, it’s good for social media and it’s bad for on-track results. [Drivers are saying] ‘I don’t mind sticking that guy three-wide in the middle and if he’s an innocent bystander, so be it.”
—Denny Hamlin, via Actions Detrimental podcast
Hamlin urged Hocevar to stop adding fuel to the fire by acting indifferent and instead accept responsibility when appropriate. In his view, being upfront about mistakes, especially in less critical races, is better than provoking rivals unnecessarily.
“It was an accident; he got loose. Say ‘Sorry about that. I f*cked up, I got loose. I went into the corner, I shook the right rear out and I got into you. I apologize.’ Instead of ‘Ha, take a number.’ … I don’t know where they were running at the time, but when you’re doing it for a win versus when he whacked out Ricky [Stenhouse Jr.] for 15th or 20th, that’s just not the time.”
—Denny Hamlin
Hamlin Predicts Consequences for Hocevar’s Behavior
Hamlin emphasized that the on-track incident with Zane Smith was unintentional, giving Hocevar the benefit of the doubt for the wreck itself. However, the way Hocevar has handled the backlash through social media interactions could backfire by making him a target for retaliation or aggressive racing.
“I can tell you 100 percent, without a doubt, he did not purposely hit Zane Smith. It was an accident, but I’m telling you that it’s good for clicks and bad for results. I think he’s out for clicks right now…That’s my opinion. I could be wrong. You’re gonna be in contention and someone is gonna clean you out and they’re gonna say, ‘I took a number.’ I just feel you’re gonna pay.”
—Denny Hamlin
Hamlin’s comments highlight the risk Hocevar faces by prioritizing attention-grabbing antics over measured responses, as the NASCAR Cup Series is a fiercely competitive environment where rivalries can intensify quickly. With Hocevar already making waves among top-tier and midfield drivers alike, Hamlin suggests that some racers may be patiently waiting for the right moment to settle scores on the track.
Impact of Hocevar’s Actions on His NASCAR Career
Carson Hocevar’s aggressive style and confrontational online presence place him in a challenging position within the NASCAR community. Veteran drivers like Denny Hamlin warn that such behavior can isolate him from peers and escalate physical confrontations during races. While the young driver may gain fans on social media, this approach could hinder his ability to secure consistent results and enduring respect in the sport.
The Zane Smith wreck drama illustrates the fine line drivers walk between competitive aggression and unnecessary conflict. Hamlin’s call for accountability and composure reflects a broader understanding that racing demands both skill behind the wheel and self-control off it. How Hocevar chooses to respond to this warning may shape his reputation and trajectory in NASCAR for years to come.
