The 2023 NASCAR Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney was one of the many drivers who were yelling abuses at young Carson Hocevar in Atlanta on Sunday.
Advertisement
He had gotten into the back of Blaney’s #12 Ford Mustang on Lap 234 and caused him to spin. This led to Blaney missing out on a solid chance to reach Victory Lane and he was understandably pissed.
He shouted on the team radio, “I told you, Timmy. The #77. Absolute Weapon. He’s just a moron! He just runs right into the back of you.”
“He has zero idea of where to bump somebody, where not to, he’s swiping across my bumper as he’s doing it. He just has no idea the whole race.” Fortunately, he was able to keep his car from hitting the wall and drove to the pits for tires,” he continued.
Blaney fought back to finish in fourth place but was beyond angry at Hocevar. While he was joined by the likes of Kyle Busch in the rant session against the 22-year-old, fans did not side with him. What many of them could see was an aggressive style not so different from what the older drivers displayed back in the day.
One fan wrote on X, “Hocevar races the right way and I don’t care what anyone says.” Another added, “He’s racing man. C’mon. They’re gonna hang him out first chance they get so he has to race like this.” Hocevar has always been called out as an aggressive driver. As the fan pointed out, who could blame him? He is up against the best in the sport with similar machinery.
One fan switched sides writing, “New 77 fan today.. Everyone loves a menace and hungry driver.” He was just one in many. Another comment added, “I don’t blame the kid, it’s not gonna be popular but he’s gotta strike while he has an opportunity. The people complaining have way more opportunities than he does to win.”
Hocevar ultimately finished his race in second place behind Christopher Bell. Kyle Larson finished third, a step above Blaney. So, what was the kid’s response to all the anger shoved against him by Blaney? After a conversation with the former champion, he humbly admitted in his post-race interview that it was all his fault.
He said, “I thought I could hit him pretty hard. That was the first time I’ve probably lined up a Chevy nose with a Ford [bumper], and it just got him in a really bad spot. It’s 100 percent on me.” He was also seen having a conversation with Trackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain, an aggressive driver in his own right.
Hocevar is one driver who is yet to come of age in the sport, and many believe once he does, he can be one of the best drivers on the field. How soon that does happen, remains to be seen.
