Feud over? Carson Hocevar claims “productive” talks with Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

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 under the playoff cut-off line in consequence.

Stenhouse indicated that payback was on the desk instantly after the wreck, however issues have since simmered down after discussions between the 2 drivers. In a Saturday press convention at Michigan, Hocevar mentioned he would not anticipate any additional escalation.

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

“I believed it was productive and, based mostly 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 yr together with his aggressive type, and this week, he admitted that he must “spherical the sides off” just a little bit. Requested if it was exhausting to name a competitor after a state of affairs like this, Hocevar actually did not suppose so.

“I imply, no, it is not, a minimum of it wasn’t when me and him [Stenhouse] talked,” mentioned Hocevar. “He owns a dash automotive staff, so he is one of many first drivers I am going to go discuss to simply as a result of I wish to ask him about his dash automotive staff. So, you recognize, we have had that relationship, proper? So, I imply, it is not too exhausting to name. You simply decide 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 for those who 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 Photos

Hocevar has additionally gotten in hassle prior to now for deliberately wrecking rivals, particularly within the decrease divisions — but additionally within the Cup Sequence after a run-in with Harrison Burton final yr. 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 if 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 numerous pressure,” mentioned Hocevar. “So, I believe each race automotive driver type of realizes that at instances. Depth will simply decide up, particularly with how exhausting it’s to move or no matter. The depth simply begins selecting up at sure tracks. I believe everyone can see the road, particularly relying on how the race goes. That type of dictates how aggressive everyone’s being, and that is generally if you begin seeing errors or, you recognize, an excessive amount of aggression.”

“It is cool to simply be talked about”

Carson Hocevar, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet

Picture by: James Gilbert / Getty Photos

And whereas it is not all constructive, Hocevar definitely would not thoughts being within the highlight both. “Primary, it is cool to simply be talked about,” he mentioned. “Clearly, you wish to be talked about perhaps in a special gentle. However I imply, a minimum of they’re speaking, proper? And I believe that is massive for me. And, you recognize, 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 sides. After which you may have your heroes texting you, simply do not change, proper? He is like, maintain on, maintain on — we want a minimum of 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 a minimum of being a subject of dialog. Sure, I imply, it is cool from that facet. However you recognize, clearly, you wish to be it if you simply dominate a Cup race, and so they cannot cease speaking about it. That is most likely finally the following purpose. However, you recognize, it is undoubtedly enjoyable to a minimum of see all of it or simply see my face all over the place.”