Carson Hocevar finished runner-up at the Ambetter Health 400, but once again, he agitated his competitors with his reckless driving style. Ryan Blaney, who was also behind the wheels in Arizona, made no attempt to hide his anger toward Hocevar.
Carson Hocevar Causes Ryan Blaney To Crash
Hocevar made some controversial moves throughout the race. His aggressive maneuver forced Kyle Busch to lift and avoid a wreck, to which Busch went on a long rant over the radio to make his feelings known about Hocevar’s driving.
I saw the 77 slide the 8 at the end of the stage, causing Kyle Busch to lose several positions.
I went to MAX to watch the replay and caught a classic Kyle Busch rant.
*caution: language* pic.twitter.com/b46SY6jD6O
— Eric Estepp (@EricEstepp17) February 23, 2025
Next, Hocevar sparked Blaney’s anger by misjudging a bump heading into Turn 1 and forcing the former Cup champion to spin out and skid across the apron in his Penske machine.
What Did Blaney Say?
Blaney did not mince his words when discussing Hocevar’s action. Here’s what he told his spotter, Tim Fedewa, over the radio.
"He's just a moron." Ryan Blaney is not happy with Carson Hocevar.
😳🏁 https://t.co/0IoweZ0Xts pic.twitter.com/F2KeRHexyb
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 23, 2025
“I told you, Timmy … He’s just a moron! He just runs right into the back of you. He has zero idea of where to bump somebody, where not to — he’s swiping across my bumper as he’s doing it. He just has no idea.”
Blaney entered the Ambetter Health 400 with high expectations. The Penske star hoped to carry the momentum of leading the NASCAR standings after Daytona and seemed in control until the closing laps when Hocevar derailed his night.
Blaney was having a solid run until Lap 234, when Hocevar pulled off his frivolous stunt. Approaching on the low side, he clipped the rear bumper of the Penske No. 12, sending Blaney spinning.
Despite the contact, Blaney pulled off an impressive save on the apron, avoiding major damage. Still, the incident derailed his shot at a better result. Settling for fourth, a frustrated Blaney didn’t hold back in his post-race interview with Frontstretch.
“I think you’ve seen it for a couple of years… His overaggressiveness gets him into a lot of trouble,” he said. “I was hoping that he’d learn this past offseason, but I don’t know if he has. We’ll see if he learns. If not, someone will teach him.”
Blaney’s words suggested that Hocevar’s driving could lead to a series of on-track repercussions. This could mean harsh treatment on the track, denied assistance, and intentional contact.
NASCAR has had a silent code for dealing with over-aggressive drivers. If the driver refuses to clean up his act, the field will take matters into its own hands.
Blaney confronted Hocevar post-race about his on-track behavior.
“I mean, I told him a couple of moves he made earlier in the race that were really, really sketchy,” Blaney revealed. “So, I just told him, ‘You gotta calm down, you know you got a lot of talent, but you got to be a little bit easier, you know, in these certain moments be a little smarter.”
