
Carson Hocevar was once again involved in an accident in a NASCAR Cup Series race, tangling with Zane Smith at Chicagoland Speedway on Sunday.
And while Hocevar was not at fault this time, with Smith spinning him into the wall, Rick Ware Racing competition director Tommy Baldwin isn't happy with how the 23-year-old from Portage, Michigan, is driving.
"I hate talking about the 77, because he's driving like a f------ lunatic in the beginning of the race," Baldwin said Monday on "Door Bumper Clear." "By the time time [of] lap 30, there's nothing left of his car to go fast."
Hocevar has drawn scrutiny since his NASCAR career began for his aggression, which has only been amplified on the massive stage of the Cup Series.
Someone's going to be upset after this one. pic.twitter.com/ySRKcljPqN
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) July 5, 2026
"We've all been there," said 2002 Daytona 500 champion Ward Burton. "You can't win on the first lap, and you got to run all the laps."
Hocevar scored his first career win at Talladega on April 26 and is ninth in the Cup standings, but has still drawn plenty of criticism this season.
Hocevar's driving has Tommy FIRED up... again.
— Dirty Mo Media (@DirtyMoMedia) July 6, 2026
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"Look at the great finishes that he's had this year," Baldwin said. "he drove clean races. We've said it, he didn't run into anybody! Oh look, he ran good!"
Hocevar finished 22nd at Chicagoland but should be in contention at Atlanta on July 12, where he nearly won on Feb. 22 after crashing Christopher Bell with a very aggressive three-wide move.
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