Carson Hocevar, the 22-year-old NASCAR driver known for his Carson Hocevar aggressive racing style, openly responded to ongoing criticism during an interview on Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s podcast. Hocevar confronted backlash stemming from several recent incidents, including a clash with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and involvement in a large crash at the Chicago Street Race, confirming that he has no plans to alter his racing tactics.

Hocevar Embraces His Role as a Controversial Figure on Track

When Dale Earnhardt Jr. asked Hocevar about the negative reactions to his on-track behavior, Hocevar took a blunt stance, acknowledging the criticism but showing no regret. He explained that much of his driving is instinctive rather than calculated, saying,

“I mean, I’m 22 now, right? I’ve raced for a long time,”

and added,

“Like I think the biggest thing for me is like I realized that like there’s certain things you just can’t change. Like you’re instinctively, you know, when I race, I don’t half the time know what I’m doing. It’s just autopilot.”

He also noted that after qualifying runs, he often does not remember exactly how he performed, sometimes doubting his own abilities even when the results are strong:

“Yeah. I don’t remember what I did, you know? Or I’m just like that I f****** suck. Like, I’m the worst race car driver of all time. I completely f***** that up. And they’re like, ‘P2, good job.’”

Reactions to the Chicago Street Race Crash and Persistent Criticism

Hocevar’s aggressive style was once again in the spotlight during the Chicago Street Race, where his driving contributed to a significant multi-car pile-up that temporarily stopped the event. This incident intensified criticism from fans and fellow drivers, many of whom questioned if his risk-taking was too reckless and detrimental to the sport.

Despite this, Hocevar remained unshaken by the disapproval, describing the rare moments when he breaks his “autopilot” mindset:

“Like the only thing that, like clicks me out of that [flow state] is just like when I f***** up, you know, or just like when I’m just, ah, that’s not very good. You know, I’m never just like click out of that like autopilot flow state of just like, oh, that was bada**.”

A Polarizing Young Driver Committed to His Racing Philosophy

With tension growing around his approach, Hocevar remains one of NASCAR’s most polarizing figures, unwilling to compromise or tone down his style to appease critics. His determination to rely on instinctive, aggressive racing continues despite the pressure from the racing community and public opinion.

This steadfast commitment to his approach suggests that Hocevar will keep pushing the limits on the track, shaping not only his own career but also sparking ongoing debates about racing risks and driving styles in NASCAR.