Katherine Legge has always done her talking on the track. Her confidence, calculated style, and razor-sharp instincts set her apart in a field of heavy hitters. After claiming her first Cup points in Chicago, cruising to a 19th-place finish in just her fourth Cup start, she proved that she belongs. But Sonoma stirred up more than just cheers.
Legge found herself more annoyed than impressed this weekend, not because of Chase Elliott this time, but because of some behavior from Spire Motorsports sophomore Carson Hocevar. As the California Hills turned dusty and tempers frayed, Hocevar’s antics caught her attention and triggered a seven-word warning that’s echoing through the paddock.
Katherine Legge gives a witty response to Carson
Katherine Legge’s Sonoma weekend started with a literal red flag; her No. 78 Live Fast Chevy missed qualifying after a brake issue in practice forced her off the board. Still, with fewer than 40 entries, she was in the race and ready to roll. This was just a week after turning heads with a stunning P19 finish at Chicago, her first Cup points and her best finish in the Series.
Starting P33, deep in the field, Katherine had to keep it clean and capitalize on road course chaos. By race’s end, she had risen to mid-pack, not far from where she began in Chicago, but faded to the 30s after a slew of restarts. The final drama involved Carson Hocevar on the cooldown lap, wading past Legge for no other reason than to aggravate, prompting Legge to fire back on the radio. “What is he doing?” Legge said in an annoyed tone. Katherine scoffed at Hocevar’s antics as she dropped “I think even I can take him” on the radio as her crew chief laughed in the background.
That on-track spinoff is the cherry on top of a performance that was disciplined, aggressive, and full of personality. In just her fourth cup start, Legge finished 31st at Sonoma, and her run on road courses suggests that she is slowly building a niche, even in equipment where others struggle. Now, Katherine has sent Carson Hocevar a clear signal, and if she keeps up this form, the elite drivers might just think twice before brushing her aside.
I’d pay good money to see that fight! @katherinelegge says she could probably take him [@CarsonHocevar]. #NASCAR | #ToyotaSaveMart350 pic.twitter.com/a8sTlbprSe
— JJ (@TomcatNASCAR_2) July 13, 2025
Moreover, in the four car races they both ran, Katherine Legge has edged out Carson every time. Katherine has quietly been outpacing Carson in every race where they have both taken the green. In Mexico City, Legge navigated a brutal meltdown to finish P32, while the Spire Motorsports star came home P34. At Chicago, Legge claimed P19, and Hocevar finished a spot behind in P20. Fast forward to Sonoma, and the story has repeated with Carson slotting in at P32.
It is three for three on road courses so far in 2025, where Katherine has crossed the finish line ahead of Hocevar, and the fans had an absolute blast. However, this was just friendly fire between two who both have something to prove and a rivalry rooted not in experience but in grit, pace, and results. However, the real rivalry lies between Carson and Josh Berry.
Josh Berry gets his sweet revenge on Carson
The NASCAR Cup Series event at Sonoma Raceway took a dramatic turn on Sunday when Josh Berry, driving the No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford, appeared to intentionally spin Carson in turn 11 during the closing stage of the Toyota/Save Mart 350. The incident, which unfolded on lap 108, quickly became the focal point of post-race discussion. In the NASCAR community, Berry’s move was seen as a long-awaited retribution against a driver who has earned a divisive reputation.
Carson, often at the center of controversy for his aggressive racecraft, has drawn criticism for prior clashes as well, including high-profile run-ins with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. at Nashville and Mexico City. Josh Berry, who was one of the cars that got taken out in the Chicago crash, surely had some reason for this. The #21 capitalized on the moment by hooking Carson’s right rear just after 11, spinning him off track. No caution was issued, but the move dropped Carson down the order. The contact ignited fierce debate online, with fans split on whether Berry’s move was just retaliation or an unsportsmanlike act that crossed the line. NASCAR updated not to penalize the incident, calling it a racing deal.
Supporters of Berry pointed to Carson’s track record of wrecks and prior infractions, including a collision with one of Berry’s crew members at Talladega, as reason enough for frustration. Regardless of public opinion, Josh Berry stayed composed, driving on to secure a P13 finish. As the Cup Series heads to Dover, the Berry and Hocevar clash adds another chapter to NASCAR’s ongoing saga of rivalries and retribution.
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