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Tommy Baldwin believes Carson Hocevar is driving like a 'lunatic'
NASCAR Cup Series driver Carson Hocevar. Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images

Tommy Baldwin believes Carson Hocevar is driving like a 'lunatic'

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. 

Carson Hocevar tangled up in another wreck

"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. 

"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.

Samuel Stubbs

Hailing from the same neck of the woods as NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin, Samuel has been covering NASCAR for Yardbarker since February 2024. He has been a member of the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) since October of 2024. When he’s not writing about racing, Samuel covers Arkansas Razorback basketball for Yardbarker

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