Carson Hocevar nearly stole the show at Atlanta Motor Speedway, finishing second in a dramatic, hard-fought battle to the checkered flag. However, while his runner-up finish was impressive, it didn’t come without controversy. His aggressive driving style ruffled feathers among his competitors, leading to heated moments on and off the track.
A Fight to the Finish
Hocevar, driving the No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet, was in the mix all race long. As the pack-style racing at Atlanta kept drivers bunched up, he wasn’t shy about making bold moves to gain positions. Late in the race, Hocevar found himself in the top five, battling with the likes of Christopher Bell, Kyle Larson, and Denny Hamlin.
With just a few laps remaining, Hocevar made an aggressive push, squeezing into tight spaces and forcing competitors to lift or risk wrecking. His fearless approach helped him climb to second, but it also left several drivers frustrated.
Ruffling Feathers
Among those unhappy with Hocevar’s driving was veteran driver Denny Hamlin, who voiced his displeasure over the radio, accusing Hocevar of “forcing the issue too much” and “not respecting the lanes.” Kyle Busch, another driver who had a run-in with Hocevar, reportedly made his frustrations known post-race as well.
Despite the criticism, Hocevar stood by his actions.
“I’m here to win races, not make friends,” Hocevar said after climbing from his car. “I had a shot, and I took it. If I didn’t, I’d be kicking myself. That’s just how superspeedway racing works—you have to be aggressive.”
Another Step Forward for Hocevar
Regardless of the controversy, the second-place finish marks another strong performance for Hocevar, who continues to impress in his first full-time Cup Series season. He’s quickly building a reputation as a driver willing to take risks, a trait that can pay off—but also one that can make enemies along the way.
With more superspeedway-style races on the schedule, it’s likely Hocevar will find himself in similar battles in the future. The question is: will his aggressive tactics land him in Victory Lane, or will they eventually come back to bite him?
Either way, one thing is clear—Carson Hocevar isn’t backing down.
