Carson Hocevar has a long and bright future ahead of him as he gets set to become a full-time NASCAR Cup Series driver in 2024. However, he has caught the eye of NASCAR's resident podcaster for the wrong reasons.
Denny Hamlin had some critical thoughts about Hocevar's Cup races this year. He also offered some wisdom for the future driver of the No. 77 at Spire Motorsports, after the younger driver made some questionable moves in the past few weeks.
Hamlin offered his advice on the new episode of Actions Detrimental with Denny Hamlin.
"There wasn't much else that caught my eye, to really bring out, other than dammit, Carson Hocevar. He's losing his mind again," Hamlin said. "I just said last week, I was singing his praises about what he was doing in the Truck Series, but I've now seen consecutive weeks in Cup, where he's driving like an idiot. I come up to lap him, and he's running into people. He's pinching people down. I don't know what he's doing. He's got his ride for next year. What is he- you're just pissing people off for no reason.
Hamlin's teammate, Ty Gibbs, was the biggest loser at the hands of Hocevar at Martinsville, as he completely dumped the driver of the No.54 Toyota late in last Sunday's race.
Hamlin didn't shy away from calling Hocevar out for it.
"I mean, for what? He wrecked Ty Gibbs. Ty is on the lead lap, he's two laps down. What are you doing? There's something in the brain that cuts off the circulation when he puts the helmet on," Hamlin said. "It's frustrating, because you see these younger guys with talent, and they can do it. They can be at a very high level. They just don't get it. Carson is a head-scratcher for me because, and I appreciate Dale Jr. on the broadcast calling him out again. Saying, 'Do this in the Cup Series. Go ahead. It's a bad choice.' I don't care what Ty did to him. I didn't see Ty do anything to him. We didn't see it on TV. We don't know. There might've been something. Ty might've knocked him up the racetrack because he's on the f—ing lead lap. You're two laps down. Get out of the way."
Hamlin clearly likes the talent Hocevar possesses, but he thinks the 20-year-old still needs some maturing to do.
Everyone knows what happens if you get on Hamlin's bad side, perhaps these two will have plenty to discuss in the future, especially if they have an issue on the racetrack.
