Feud over? Carson Hocevar claims “productive...

At Nashville, Carson Hocevar‘s runner-up end was overshadowed by a run-in with Ricky Stenhouse Jr., the place contact from Hocevar despatched Stenhouse spinning into the surface wall. The wreck was race-ending and Stenhouse has now fallen beneath the playoff cut-off line in consequence.

Stenhouse indicated that payback was on the table immediately after the wreck, however issues have since simmered down after discussions between the 2 drivers. In a Saturday press convention at Michigan, Hocevar stated he does not count on any additional escalation.

“Yeah, I imply it was productive,” stated Hocevar about talks with Stenhouse. “, me and him each have the status, I suppose, of being aggressive at instances and every little thing. So at that one level, we each reminded one another that even with these reputations, we have raced one another very properly collectively, proper? It clashes collectively. So, yeah, I imply we have had no points earlier than, as he had stated, and I really feel like we have had a good relationship main as much as this.

“I believed it was productive and, primarily based off his feedback, I felt prefer it was acquired (as) productive.”

Speaking it out

It is truthful to say that Hocevar has angered a number of drivers this 12 months together with his aggressive fashion, and this week, he admitted that he needs to “round the edges off” a little bit. Requested if it was arduous to name a competitor after a state of affairs like this, Hocevar actually did not suppose so.

“I imply, no, it is not, not less than it wasn’t when me and him [Stenhouse] talked,” stated Hocevar. “He owns a dash automotive staff, so he is one of many first drivers I am going to go speak to simply as a result of I need to ask him about his dash automotive staff. So, you realize, we have had that relationship, proper? So, I imply, it is not too arduous to name. You simply choose up the cellphone and name.

“I do not get nervous an entire lot or awkward. Typically I’m awkward, however I do not get nervous or something earlier than these calls, particularly once I really feel prefer it’s warranted. You see these guys 38 weekends, so it is both you name them otherwise you see them right here. It’s most likely simply simpler in case you simply transfer that timeline up. That is actually the largest factor.”

The place is the road between aggressive and reckless?

Carson Hocevar, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet, Ross Chastain, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet

Picture by: Jonathan Bachman – Getty Pictures

Hocevar has additionally gotten in bother prior to now for deliberately wrecking rivals, particularly within the decrease divisions — but additionally within the Cup Collection after a run-in with Harrison Burton final 12 months. The 22-year-old agrees that there’s a line between aggressive and reckless, drawing it at “blatantly intentional versus simply racing” incidents.

“Clearly, we make a thousand choices a race, proper? And generally the one choices you see, particularly whenever you’re not main, in entrance or on TV, the one choices you see is the dangerous ones as a result of that causes a yellow and that raises lots of stress,” stated Hocevar. “So, I feel each race automotive driver form of realizes that at instances. Depth will simply choose up, particularly with how arduous it’s to move or no matter. The depth simply begins choosing up at sure tracks. I feel everyone can see the road, particularly relying on how the race goes. That form of dictates how aggressive everyone’s being, and that is generally whenever you begin seeing errors or, you realize, an excessive amount of aggression.”

“It is cool to simply be talked about”

Carson Hocevar, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet

Picture by: James Gilbert / Getty Pictures

And whereas it is not all optimistic, Hocevar definitely does not thoughts being within the highlight both. “Primary, it is cool to simply be talked about,” he stated. “Clearly, you need to be talked about possibly in a special mild. However I imply, not less than they’re speaking, proper? And I feel that is huge for me. And, you realize, you devour it — you see all of it. As Jeff Dickerson [Spire Motorsports team co-owner] had talked about earlier than, he is like, we’re making an attempt to love spherical the perimeters. After which you will have your heroes texting you, simply do not change, proper? He is like, maintain on, maintain on — we’d like not less than one thing just a little totally different.

“However sure, I imply, finally, it is enjoyable to clearly be within the information. I imply, it is what I’ve dreamt of my complete life, which is simply not less than being a subject of dialog. Sure, I imply, it is cool from that facet. However you realize, clearly, you need to be it whenever you simply dominate a Cup race, and so they cannot cease speaking about it. That is most likely finally the subsequent purpose. However, you realize, it is undoubtedly enjoyable to not less than see all of it or simply see my face all over the place.”

Photographs from Michigan – Apply & Qualifying