Carson Hocevar Reveals Productive Talks Ending Feud with Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

Carson Hocevar and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. are working to put a recent on-track clash behind them after a tense incident at Nashville Superspeedway on June 30. During that Cup Series race, Hocevar made contact with Stenhouse, sending the No. 47 Chevrolet hard into the wall and ending his day.

The crash forced Stenhouse below the playoffs cut-off line, raising questions about possible retaliation. Days later, after emotions cooled, the two drivers spoke to discuss the incident.

Speaking in Michigan on June 7, Hocevar described their conversation as “productive.” He noted both drivers have a reputation for aggressiveness, saying, “We reminded each other that even though we get into stuff with other people, we’ve actually raced each other pretty well.”

Hocevar pointed out that before Nashville, he had no issues with Stenhouse, and believes their relationship remains strong. He added that the talk helped both see the situation more clearly and reduced the tension.

Hocevar has faced criticism for his aggressive style in 2025, earning frustrations from several drivers across the Cup and Truck Series. This weekend, the 22-year-old admitted he needs to “round the edges off a little bit” as he gains more experience at the top level.

He was straightforward about calling a competitor after incidents, saying, “It’s not too hard. You just pick up the phone and talk. You see these drivers so often, so you either call or run into them at the track.” This approach is similar to how communication plays a critical role in racing strategy, akin to discussions seen around flexi wing adjustments in other racing series.

The line between being aggressive and reckless can be thin in NASCAR. Hocevar said drivers make “a thousand decisions a race,” but pointed out that only the negative ones get highlighted when things go wrong.

He described how intensity builds during races, making mistakes or over-aggression more likely, especially at tough tracks where passing is rare. This competitive intensity echoes the challenges faced in events like the Monaco Grand Prix, where close racing pushes drivers to their limits.

Hocevar is no stranger to controversy, having previously tangled with rivals both in the lower NASCAR divisions and, last year, with Harrison Burton in the Cup Series. He believes intent matters, distinguishing between “blatantly intentional” wrecks and regular racing incidents.

When asked about the attention his driving style receives, Hocevar said, “It’s cool to just be talked about,” though he hopes to be in the spotlight for strong runs and race wins.

As of June, Stenhouse continues his push to get back above the playoff line, while Hocevar focuses on consistency for Spire Motorsports. With their recent discussion behind them, both drivers appear set to move forward, hoping to avoid further run-ins as the Cup Series season heads towards the summer stretch.

Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.