NASCAR veteran Parker Kligerman has backed young driver Carson Hocevar, whose aggressive driving at Atlanta Motor Speedway sparked heated debates. Hocevar, 21, finished second in the Ambetter Health 400 but drew criticism from veterans like Ryan Blaney and Kyle Busch for his bold moves.
Kligerman, co-host of “The Money Lap” podcast, offered an unfiltered take on the drama. “Apart from spinning out Ryan Blaney, nothing else I saw was a problem,” Kligerman said. “I liked his quote afterward: ‘We’re not trying to be a boy band and love each other. I’m here to race.’ And I was like, damn, I like that.”
Parker Kligerman and Landon Cassill Defend “Tale as Old as Time”
Kligerman and co-host Landon Cassill dissected the backlash on their podcast, framing Hocevar’s aggression as part of NASCAR’s cyclical generational clash. “It’s so funny to see veteran drivers pissed at a young, aggressive rookie going for his first win,” Cassill said, quoting his own tweet. “A tale as old as time. I love it.”
The hosts compared Hocevar to Ross Chastain, who faced similar criticism early in his career. “Two years ago, we were at Atlanta having the same conversation about Ross,” Cassill noted. Chastain, now a five-time Cup winner, approached Hocevar post-race, seemingly offering advice, a nod to the sport’s unspoken mentorship rituals.
Hocevar, unapologetic, doubled down after the race. “I’m not going to apologize for having a shot to win,” he said. His stance mirrors a young Busch, who once irked veterans but now boasts three championships.
Hall of Famer Mark Martin Joins the Defense
NASCAR legend Mark Martin amplified support for Hocevar, tweeting a clip from House Party 3 with the caption and urging him to “be himself.” Martin later shared Gucci Mane’s “Drive Fast” lyrics, captioning it, “Word @CarsonHocevar.”
Fans rallied behind Martin’s message. “Exactly if Carson doesn’t make those moves or try to win races his career will probably be over within a few years, you would think most NASCAR drivers would (know) that, we need personality and desire to win not follow the leader,” one spectator replied. Others noted hypocrisy, citing Busch’s 2011 feud with Kevin Harvick and Chastain’s infamous “Hail Melon” move.
Blaney, however, remains critical. After Hocevar’s contact at Atlanta, Blaney called him “a moron.”
Hocevar shrugged it off. “[Blaney] zigged when I zagged. My fault.”
History suggests aggression pays off. Dale Earnhardt Sr. earned seven titles with intimidation tactics. Richard Petty won 200 races by refusing to yield. Even Martin, nicknamed “The Kid” early on, faced scrutiny for his tenacity.
For now, Hocevar’s focus remains clear. “We’re here to win races, not be a boy band,” he said. As the Cup Series heads to COTA, fans will watch to see if his grit earns trophies or more grudges.
