Carson Hocevar reveals odd approach to friendships with NASCAR drivers
On the latest episode of the Dale Jr Download, Hocevar told Dale Earnhardt Jr. that he doesn't have a single friend in any of the three NASCAR series, and he has only hung out with other drivers once off the track.
'Not anyone in the industry….Nope, none…I've only hung out one time with any other driver, it was SVG and Bubba at his property, one time.
Carson Hocevar on if he has any friends at the NASCAR level
Related: NASCAR standings, see where Carson Hocevar sits
Carson Hocevar stats (NASCAR.com): 368 points, 4 top 10s, 2 top 5s, 1 pole, 5 DNFs, 72 laps led, 22.526 average finishing position in 19 races
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Hocevar was honest about 'not really talking to anybody' and rarely interacting with others, even when he's at the track. He doesn't go out, he doesn't drink, and he rarely interacts with fellow drivers on the entry stage.
While it could be argued that the 22-year-old has plenty of time to create friendships at the Truck Series level, Hocevar stated that he really didn't have any friendships in the Truck Series, nor when he was racing short track. Instead, his friend group is comprised of his iRacing buddies.
Related: NASCAR predictions for final races, including a Carson Hocevar win
He does, however, have a very close relationship with his friends from iRacing and is building a property where they can all hang out more regularly. Outside of that, though, making friendships in the Cup Series doesn't seem likely to happen anytime soon.
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It's certainly the kind of approach that some fans will love, with Hocevar's passion for racing and his hard-line approach to having no friends on the track reflecting his style of driving. However, other drivers will likely see it as another reason why he drives overaggressively, at times not treating other drivers with the respect that might come from good relationships.
Related: NASCAR schedule 2025
While it might be a controversial approach among his peers and will likely lead to further confrontations, Hocevar seems perfectly suited to play the role of the heel that makes NASCAR more interesting. It will also make him the driver that fans either love or love to hate.
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