Michael McDowell says Carson Hocevar has to 'learn from his mistakes' amid chaotic season

LONG POND, Pennsylvania — Michael McDowell knows a thing or two about racing in the NASCAR Cup Series. 

As a veteran of 517 Cup Series starts, he's the perfect teammate for a young driver such as Carson Hocevar, who has found himself in the midst of a chaotic second season in the Cup Series. 

"Some of these things, you just learn as you learn," McDowell said. "Certainly, he's had a rough few weeks as far as there always being something, so maybe it's all happening at once, which is tough to deal with." 

But there is a positive side to Hocevar's ordeal, McDowell says. 

"You're only a few weeks away from all that going away," McDowell said. "You just gotta keep your mind right, not get too flustered. You also have to learn from your mistakes. It's part of the growing process. I think we've all been through the process." 

McDowell also noted a major modern difference between the early career of himself and Hocevar. 

"I feel like 20 years ago when I was going through the process, it wasn't in the spotlight," McDowell said. "Just how media and social media has changed, we live in a very different world. It's a different environment to learn and to grow in now." 

McDowell's veteran presence is certainly an asset that could be helpful to Hocevar as he tries to grow as a Cup Series driver. 

All quotations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.