Dale Earnhardt Jr. shared that he feels drained from repeatedly discussing the recent Zane Smith Carson Hocevar incident that occurred last week at Iowa Speedway. The Spire Motorsports driver, Carson Hocevar, drew heavy criticism following a collision with Smith during the NASCAR Cup Series race.
The incident happened on Lap 229 when Hocevar, running to the inside of Smith, lost control of his car and made contact with the Front Row Motorsports driver. This collision caused Smith to slip down the order, ultimately finishing in 36th place, whereas Hocevar managed to avoid a severe setback and ended up scoring in the top 10.
“I’m exhausted talking about Hocevar, everyone,” Dale Earnhardt Jr. said recently on the Dale Jr. Download podcast (53:04). “I really wanted to move on and skip over this one, but apparently, the rest of the crew is all just really enjoying the Hocevar happenings.” —Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Hall of Famer
Following the race, Smith’s crew chief, Ryan Bergenty, confronted Hocevar on pit road to demand an explanation for the maneuver. Some fans questioned the appropriateness of a crew chief confronting another driver, but Earnhardt Jr. voiced support for Bergenty’s actions.
“I don’t mind. I think it’s fine. Hocevar needs to hear from somebody. So, I’m fine with that,” Dale Earnhardt Jr. added.
While Dale Jr. is tired of covering Hocevar’s antics, he acknowledges the young driver’s bold and unapologetic personality, something NASCAR benefits from as the sport thrives on strong characters and competitive spirit.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Critique of NASCAR’s NextGen Car
Dale Earnhardt Jr. also expressed dissatisfaction with the current NextGen Cup car. He criticized the lack of tire degradation and limited passing opportunities, which detracts from the racing excitement he remembers from previous seasons.
“I want to say that I don’t love the Next Gen car, but it’s here,” Dale Earnhardt Jr. said on Dale Jr. Download. “I don’t love the NextGen car. It’s a sports car. It’s not a NASCAR stock car, but it’s here.” —Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Hall of Famer
The NextGen car has come with significant expenses, with teams reportedly spending up to $350,000 for each vehicle and its components. Since the car debuted in 2022, major investments have been made, culminating in Joey Logano winning the championship that year.
“There’s millions of dollars already way down the road and the car’s here. It’s on the track. It’s not changing. It’s not going anywhere. It doesn’t do me any good to sit here and b** about the (expletive) lack of tire fall off or the inability to pass. It’s frustrating,” Dale Jr. added.
Upcoming Race at Watkins Glen International
Looking ahead, the NASCAR Cup Series will head to Watkins Glen International for the Go Bowling at The Glen race on Sunday, August 10. The 90-lap event promises to deliver more competitive racing on a road course, with live coverage airing on CW at 2 p.m. ET. Fans also have the option to follow live updates on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio as the season progresses.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s commentary on both the Zane Smith Carson Hocevar incident and the NextGen car highlights growing pains within NASCAR, reflected in driver disputes and technical challenges. The evolving narrative continues to shape fan discussions and the sport’s trajectory going forward.