Carson Hocevar’s aggressive run at Atlanta Motor Speedway made waves on the track and in the garage, but it wasn’t just his fellow drivers who were left fuming. But the biggest drama came after the race when Hocevar publicly apologized — not to his competitors, but to billionaire team owner Rick Hendrick.
Carson Hocevar’s Aggressive Moves Spark Controversy
Hocevar has built a reputation as an aggressive rookie driver since his entry into the NASCAR Cup Series last year, but at Atlanta, his actions seemed to cross a line. Throughout the race, Hocevar was consistently discussed as causing much trouble on track that day, including one where he slotted himself between winner Christopher Bell and Hendrick Motorsports Kyle Larson, denying the latter a potential race win.
Hocevar’s moves angered veteran racers such as Kyle Busch and Ryan Blaney, many of whom have already been critical of his approach. However, Hocevar’s team, Spire Motorsports, has a strong technical alliance with Hendrick Motorsports. They rely on Hendrick’s support, making any tension between the two organizations a big deal.
That’s likely why, instead of addressing the drivers he frustrated, Hocevar focused on making things right with them himself.
“First off, apologies to Larson and HMS, Mr. H — they help us out a lot. And I didn’t realize that we weren’t racing back to the line. The last two nights were kind of that way, and I hit the 20 to get him out of the way and fill the middle. You know, a little bit longer, and maybe we would win the race,” Hocevar confessed in the post-race conference.
Why Did Hocevar Apologize Only to Rick Hendrick?
After the race, Hocevar was seen talking with several drivers on pit road, but he never publicly apologized to them. Instead, he made sure to extend a direct apology to Larson, Hendrick, and his team, likely to ensure that Spire’s relationship with the powerhouse organization would not be jeopardized.
Regardless, Hocevar’s aggressive style continues to make headlines. While his approach keeps him in the spotlight, it also puts him at risk of making powerful enemies in the sport. The question now is whether he will adjust his driving style or double down on the bold moves that have made him one of NASCAR’s most talked about young drivers.
