Carson Hocevar Confesses He Is 'Embarrassed' over 2023 Truck Series Final DNF Drama

Carson Hocevar is one of the most exciting talents in the Cup Series. The Spire Motorsports is never afraid to push himself to the limit against drivers on-track. Hocevar has gained a reputation in the field over being perhaps too aggressive in wheel-to-wheel battles. This could be traced all the way back to 2023 when he was fighting for the Truck Series title in the last race. The 22-year-old admitted that he was still red-faced over the incident.

The Spire Motorsports driver was in contention for the title alongside Corey Heim, Grant Enfinger, and Ben Rhodes. Hocevar ended up spinning Heim’s truck as the two battled it out for the lead. This divided opinions in the NASCAR garage and put the label of aggressive racing on the 22-year-old.

This reputation has continued in the Cup Series. Carson Hocevar is engulfed in a beef with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. after making contact with the 37-year-old on-track on multiple occasions this year.

Carson Hocevar reflected upon his DNF from the Phoenix race two years ago. The 22-year-old claimed that he was pushing himself as he thought this would be his only shot at winning the championship. Hocevar needed to prove himself with a title win to get a chance at Xfinity Series. He was also facing a downturn in morale back at Spire Motorsports over the possibility of competing at the front.

It was me going, ‘This might be my only and last time to win a Championship.’ Like, I don’t know if I’m going to win a Cup Championship. I don’t get a shot at Xfinity — this is it. I had just signed with Spire at that time, and it was ‘We ain’t winning a Championship any time soon.’ 

Carson Hocevar told Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Hocevar claimed that he was not trying to make Corey Heim get knocked out of the race. Though, the Spire Motorsports star admitted that he was planning to hit the truck quite hard. This would’ve allowed Carson Hocevar to remain in striking distance of his rival for a better chance later on. The 22-year-old insisted that his plan fell apart after Heim made an overtake on a truck upfront. Carson Hocevar didn’t expect such a move, and ultimately got Heim into the fence. He confessed that the video of the incident completely embarrassed him.

 I wasn’t trying to wreck him, but my plan was to hit him in every f*cking corner. Hit him three times. I can’t let him get two car lengths in between us; if there’s a restart, he’s gotta be next to me. The only goal I have is to keep him as slow as possible. What cost me was him actually passing a truck. I thought he wasn’t passing a truck, and… I just f*cking backed him right into the fence. That whole night — any time I see the video I’m just embarrassed by it.

Carson Hocevar explained

Carson Hocevar ‘quit’ after Corey Heim wreck

The incident completely destroyed Hocevar’s morale. While the 22-year-old was still in contention for the title, he simply stopped pushing hard during the final stages of the race. Ultimately, he crashed out with just three races to go, a devastating DNF in what could’ve been his title-winning race.