Carson Hocevar nearly spun out of the race after losing control on lap 19 of The Great American Getaway 400 at Pocono Raceway, but he managed to regain control and stay on track. This quick reflex earned high praise from Dale Earnhardt Jr., who called it the “best save of the year.”
Hocevar’s trouble began when his rear tires lost grip, causing him to slide sideways and clip the outside wall. The impact was intense enough to deploy his roof flaps. Despite the damage and chaos, the driver of the No. 77 car skillfully controlled the slide and kept racing. Although he lost a position, dropping from third place, the recovery was impressive enough to stand out during the race broadcast.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Highlights Hocevar’s Recovery
From the Prime Video booth, Dale Earnhardt Jr. noted the severity of the incident, emphasizing the difficulty of Hocevar’s maneuver as he saved his car from a likely crash.
“Just a really, really huge slide contact with the right rear. That is the best save of the year. I think it’s got to be a contender. I mean, I know the wall straight him out, but seriously, man, this car is wrecked,” he said via X/Sports on Prime.
Despite this, Hocevar continued to compete strongly, even leading the race at one stage. His race pace dropped following a pit stop on lap 86, but he managed to finish 18th overall. This result marked a slight decline from his 17th-place finish at the same track the year before. Still, it was an improvement compared to previous races at Mexico and Michigan, where he finished 34th and 29th respectively, highlighting a positive trend in his recent performances.
Hocevar’s Tense Relationship with Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Before the Pocono event, Hocevar addressed ongoing tension with fellow driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr., which stems from an earlier incident in Mexico where Hocevar spun Stenhouse while a lap down. That collision sparked anger from Stenhouse, creating friction between the two drivers.
During the Pocono race, Hocevar and Stenhouse competed near each other again, with Hocevar closing in on a top-three position behind Stenhouse. However, his team advised caution over the radio, leading to a clean race between them despite expectations of a possible conflict.
Hocevar reflected on their strained dynamic in an interview with Jeff Gluck, sharing candid feelings about their fallout.
“I feel like we have a good relationship or had one. I was just running behind him, just kind of logging laps and just locked up in a very dumb spot. And it was just so dumb, really. Just a mistake that didn’t need to happen and didn’t want it to happen.”
“But there’s nothing that I could do or say. You know, I can’t buy him a Hallmark card and, really make things better. So, it sucks,” he added.
In addition to the rivalry, Hocevar expressed a desire to connect with Stenhouse on a different level, mentioning Stenhouse’s unique role as the only NASCAR driver who owns a sprint car team. Hocevar indicated he would have liked discussing sprint car racing with him, showing a more personal side beyond the on-track tension.
Implications for Hocevar’s Season Moving Forward
Carson Hocevar’s ability to recover from his near spin at Pocono and the respect it gained from a veteran like Dale Earnhardt Jr. highlights his growing skill and resilience as a NASCAR driver. Although his final position was mid-pack, the save showcased his potential to handle high-pressure situations on challenging tracks like the ‘Tricky Triangle.’ His improved finish after difficult outings in Mexico and Michigan paves a path for more consistent performances.
Meanwhile, the unresolved issues with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. introduce an element of tension that could influence future races when the two drivers compete closely. How Hocevar navigates this rivalry while continuing to sharpen his driving could play a significant role in his progress this season.