Carson Hocevar faced a challenging weekend at Watkins Glen International during the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series, with tensions flaring during qualifying and the race itself. The Spire Motorsports driver had confrontations with both Brad Keselowski, co-owner and driver for RFK Racing, as well as his own teammate Michael McDowell, highlighting friction on the track that concerned many involved.
These Watkins Glen incidents put Hocevar under the spotlight as he dealt with frustrations stemming from on-track interference and contact, placing the focus on how competition pressures can intensify during critical moments of a race weekend.
Qualifying Clash Sparks Frustration Between Hocevar and Keselowski
During Saturday’s qualifying session at the New York road course, tensions boiled over when footage captured Keselowski approaching Hocevar’s No. 77 car on pit road after what appeared to be a heated exchange. Hocevar expressed confusion about Keselowski’s anger, explaining that he felt Keselowski had obstructed his qualifying lap without explanation.
I didn’t really understand why he was so upset because we were upset at him,
Hocevar said.
I think just emotions get high in qualifying. I felt like we started our lap, and he was kind of in the way, or just let us go in a really bad spot that I felt like it impeded our lap. As we’re doing our cool-down lap, I didn’t want to swerve out of his way or anything going down the backstretch, and I just stayed in line and had him go around me. I think everybody didn’t know the full story, potentially, right? You just get done with your lap, and you feel like somebody gets in your way. I was frustrated. Our group was frustrated, and then, obviously, he was frustrated with us.
—Carson Hocevar, NASCAR Cup Series Driver
He further noted that once the teams reviewed the situation, they recognized that both sides had impeded others’ laps. He suggested the possibility of better coordination for future qualifying sessions.
When you get back to your trailers, I would imagine that his guys kind of looked and realized that we just kind of impeded both of our laps, and we can clean it up going forward, or maybe his spotter can make sure that he gives us a little bit more room and we can do the same moving forward.
—Carson Hocevar, NASCAR Cup Series Driver
Despite the conflict, Hocevar qualified eighth for Sunday’s 90-lap race, while Keselowski started from 16th on the grid.
On-Track Battles with Teammate Michael McDowell Heighten Tensions
Hocevar’s difficulties continued during the race when McDowell spun him out entering Turn 1 on lap 52. The clash occurred as McDowell’s No. 71 car got into the right-rear quarter panel of Hocevar’s No. 77 down the frontstretch, resulting in Hocevar spinning out. However, the two drivers weren’t done competing with each other; on the final lap, they fought intensely for 18th position, with McDowell again making contact while moving inside. Hocevar managed to hold off McDowell to claim the better finish.
Hocevar acknowledged the pair had yet to discuss the incidents but expected to do so ahead of the race at Richmond Raceway.
No, we hadn’t talked or whatever. He wanted to sit down at Richmond,
Hocevar said.
I’m gone racing, and he’s gone as well. Maybe it’s best-case scenario that we’re both gone. It didn’t seem like that big of a deal to me — either he made a mistake or misjudged and obviously turned me. Then we were just fighting for the last lap and last corner and felt like that was plenty of OK to do considering the contact right. I can play defense for one corner to try to get the spot.
—Carson Hocevar, NASCAR Cup Series Driver
Hocevar also stressed the importance of qualifying position at Richmond, noting how challenging passing can be there and how qualifying determines track position. The battle with McDowell was part of a broader effort to secure a better draw for the next race.
I think Richmond being the next week with qualifying draw being so important, that one spot I think matters a lot for qualifying, especially for how tough that place is to pass, but also super easy to go a lap down at that place,
Hocevar explained.
Qualifying means everything, and especially going out late, you’re going to have a massive advantage. So the later we could have got, the better. So I’m glad we at least got a decent position. Michael wanted to sit down and talk about it a little bit of just how we can move forward, and just help each other and next time to avoid that.
—Carson Hocevar, NASCAR Cup Series Driver
Strategic Decisions with Zane Smith Highlight Hocevar’s Race Management
During the Watkins Glen race, Hocevar also made a calculated decision to give up a position to Front Row Motorsports driver Zane Smith before entering Turn 6. This move was based on Smith having fresher tires and thus being faster, and Hocevar recognized the futility of defending under those conditions late in the race.
He was on newer tires, so he was faster than me,
Hocevar said.
Number one, I don’t really think it would have been smart for me to play defense, nor could I, so I might as well just let him go right? Like I killed two birds, one stone. It was really gonna be hard for me to play defense for a lap or two left in the race …
—Carson Hocevar, NASCAR Cup Series Driver
Hocevar also shed light on Smith’s growing frustration after being bumped several times recently by other drivers, which contributed to tensions on the track.
I felt like that was his frustration level over the last few weeks of getting right-reared by Preece and then Bell and then me hitting the bump and wrecking him. I know that kind of boiled over onto us. If I could have just pointed him by where it’s not going to cost me anything, it’s an easy decision for me.
—Carson Hocevar, NASCAR Cup Series Driver
Upcoming Conversations and Moving Forward
Hocevar anticipates sitting down with McDowell at Richmond to address their on-track incidents and find ways to prevent similar clashes in the future. The ongoing rivalry and high emotions reflect the intense competitiveness within the NASCAR Cup Series as the season progresses.
With Watkins Glen behind them, Hocevar and his rivals now turn their attention to the Richmond Raceway event, where qualifying performances and race-day decisions will again be critical for gaining positions and avoiding costly mistakes.