“We’re here to win races, not be a boy band.” That’s what Carson Hocevar said after stirring things up in Atlanta earlier this season. This was a quote that screamed swagger, not subtlety. Typical Carson Hocevar! Fast forward to Texas, and while his elbows-out driving style hasn’t changed a bit, something else has: his willingness to admit mistakes.
After tangling with Ryan Preece in a chaotic race, Hocevar didn’t double down with defiance. He owned it. Took the blame and apologized on camera. A rare move in a sport where pride often drives faster than horsepower. But here’s the thing. Accountability doesn’t always guarantee forgiveness in NASCAR. And as Hocevar found out after Texas, sometimes even a public apology can land you in hotter water than the wreck itself. Because while the Spire Motorsports #77 may have turned a corner, not everyone’s ready to meet him there.
Tensions boil over in Texas
The late stages of the 2025 Wurth 400 at Texas Motor Speedway saw a promising run for Carson Hocevar unravel in dramatic fashion. And the fallout was immediate. After starting from pole and leading laps, Hocevar found himself mired in traffic and made a bad move, which ended up deciding not only his race, but Ryan Preece’s as well.
Hocevar addressed the incident in his post-race interview, offering a detailed and contrite explanation: “I apologize to him [Preece] and his guys, the same with my guys. It just got in there and started to slide up.” On lap 237, while battling side-by-side, Hocevar washed up exiting Turn 2. As a result, he pinched Ryan Preece into the outside wall and triggered a multi-car wreck. The conclusion? It ended Preece’s day and left Hocevar limping home 24th.
Hocevar’s admission, “That’s on me. I wrecked myself,” reflects a pattern seen throughout his Cup career. In 2024, he was fined and docked points for spinning Harrison Burton under caution at Nashville. Earlier in the year, Hocevar was also involved in incidents at Atlanta, fueling criticism about his aggressive driving. While Carson Hocevar has admitted responsibility this time, his habit of aggressive driving and unpredictable moves has earned him a reputation that precedes any apology, and Ryan Preece was sick and tired of his antics.
RFK Racing’s #60 was blunt in his assessment of Hocevar’s apology. “He just seems to be proving me right again and again… Just got ran into the fence by somebody that has no respect for his equipment… He’ll have his day.” Preece stated. Preece’s remarks reflect a growing frustration in the garage with Hocevar’s style.
Carson Hocevar on what happened on the wreck with Ryan Preece (Hocevar took the blame). @NASCARONFOX pic.twitter.com/MiGp5e7eyE
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) May 5, 2025
Drivers like Ryan Blaney and Kyle Busch have openly criticized Hocevar’s on-track decisions. Blaney, for example, blasted Hocevar over the radio after incidents at Atlanta. Busch went so far as to vow retaliation after feeling wronged by Hocevar’s aggressive drafting in the same race. “I don’t care. I’ll f—— wreck him,” Busch infamously raged then.
All that being said, this backlash is not entirely new in NASCAR. Young, aggressive drivers often face pushback from established veterans. But the chorus of criticism around Hocevar is growing louder. As the season continues, the tension raises the question: Will Hocevar adjust his approach, or is he destined for more run-ins and possible payback from the sport’s biggest names?
Can Carson Hocevar rebound at Kansas amid rising tensions?
With the dust barely settled from Texas, the NASCAR Cup Series heads to Kansas Speedway for the AdventHealth 400 on May 11. The event promises another high-speed showdown at one of the circuit’s most competitive 1.5-mile ovals. Kansas has a reputation for multi-groove racing and late-race drama, making it a favorite among drivers and fans alike.
For Carson Hocevar, however, the stakes are higher than ever as he looks to move past the controversy and frustration that defined his Texas weekend. His aggressive driving and the fallout from his latest incident with Ryan Preece have put him under a microscope. With tensions running high in the garage, Kansas will test both his composure and his ability to race cleanly under pressure.
Hocevar has shown flashes of speed on intermediate tracks this season, but his results have been marred by mistakes and misfortune. To add to that, his record at Kansas doesn’t show much promise either, with finishes of 20th, 24th, and 32nd since 2023, progressively worsening at Kansas for the 2024 Rookie of the Year. However, a simple, incident-free run at Kansas could help repair his reputation and quiet some of the criticism that has followed him in recent weeks.
Meanwhile, the Kansas race is set to be a pivotal one for the entire Cup field. Defending race winner Kyle Larson will be looking to repeat his 2024 success. Joey Logano, on the other hand, fresh off his Texas victory, aims to build momentum and climb the points standings. With the championship battle heating up, every stage point and finish becomes more crucial.
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