Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Kyle Petty Warns NASCAR Cup Drivers About Carson Hocevar

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jonathan Howard | Last updated Feb 6, 2026 11:41 AM ET

Everyone in NASCAR knows at this point that Carson Hocevar is a special talent. He is also one of the more aggressive drivers in the Cup Series. When you race near him, expect to have contact. And like, expect a lot more than that.

This will be Carson Hocevar's third full-time season in the Cup Series. He made his debut in 2023. At this point, as Kyle Petty pointed out this week, you have to get used to it and come to expect it.

Spire Motorsports signed Hocevar to a long-term deal this week. It will keep him at Spire through this decade and into the next. So, complaining about him won't do much good.

Carson Hocevar during qualifying for the Daytona 500.Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

"Get used to Hocevar running up front," Petty said on "Inside the Race" this week. "You other drivers, you can whine about it, you can complain about him. He does this, he does that, he got into my door a little bit, he moved me out of the way. He's going to be there! He's going to race you, and he's going to beat you at some point in time. So, get used to it!"

Kyle Petty isn't wrong. Twice in 2025, Carson Hocevar finished P2. If the first Atlanta race of the season hadn't ended due to a caution on the final lap, Hocevar very well could have won in a three-wide battle with Christopher Bell and Kyle Larson. Nashville was another example. In that race, Hocevar showed he wasn't just competitive on superspeedways.

With a long-term contract in hand, Hocevar has job security. You know he's going to be aggressive, use his doors, use his bumpers. So, when he gets near you, get ready for it. Because his style of racing is working for him more times than not, and the risks he takes will only lead to success if he keeps at it.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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