The high-stakes elimination race at Bristol wasn’t kind to everyone. Four championship aspirants found their title dreams shattering as the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs weeded them out. This reset the deck and paved the way for the Round of 12. Ross Chastain, behind the wheel of the No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet, would rather let this one race slip into oblivion. 

Chastain’s hopes crumbled as he landed outside the coveted top 20. However, with the Round of 12 on the horizon, Chastain might just find the reboot button he needs to rekindle the fiery momentum from the Round of 16. They say you can’t keep a good driver down. Will Bristol be Chastain’s only pit stop on the road to victory? But before that, reporters had a question about his shadow driver, Carson Hocevar. 

The Xfinity Series Doppelganger Making Waves

In a post-race interview following his advancement out of the Round of 16 at Bristol Motor Speedway, Ross Chastain shared his thoughts on his progress in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs and praised the impressive 11th-place finish by Carson Hocevar, who is often referred to as the ‘Wrecking Ball’ star’s Xfinity Series doppelganger.

“Yeah, I mean, it’s just a great talent. I mean, it’s just so much raw ability there,” Ross Chastain said. “Our only kind of goal is to support him in any way, but to just kind of keep him between the rails, right? Keep the bumpers up and keep them down the lane. I’m not a good goaler. I think we’ll keep them down. We’ll be alright. He’s really good.”

Denny Hamlin, NASCAR’s recent Bristol champ, had previously stirred the pot off the racetrack. In his podcast, Actions Detrimental, a few months back, Hamlin did not hold back, calling Ross Chastain, the notorious “Melon Man,” a “wrecking ball” on wheels. All the while, he’s invoking the name of a rising star, 20-year-old Carson Hocevar. 

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What did Bristol’s latest winner have to say about Ross Chastain and Carsen’s exactly? 

Denny Hamlin’s Take on ‘Wrecking Ball’ Ross Chastain

Recent escapades like the Dover debacle have many, including Hamlin, questioning if Chastain is more hazardous than competitors. While Chastain leaves rivals spinning out, he escapes unscathed. Hamlin’s fix? Either the driver should retaliate, or NASCAR should “Hocevar” him with penalties. Will Ross Chastain finally hit a wall, or will he continue his demolition spree?

“One of two things has to happen, right? Either the competitors have to just say, ‘F**k it, when I get my chance, I’m gonna get back at him. And now I’m just gonna say I made a mistake. That’s one way, right?

“Or NASCAR wants to step in, like with Hocevar, and say, ‘Alright, we’ve had enough of it. Like you do this every week.’ And I’m not saying he does every week.” Hamlin, the JGR veteran, had stated in his podcast. 

Hamlin highlighted Hocevar as an example for NASCAR to follow. If Hocevar faced penalties for less frequent mishaps, why not Chastain? Hamlin implies it’s time for consistent rulings from the governing body. As the NASCAR world turns, will Hocevar’s disciplined ascent contrast Chastain’s wrecking ways?

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In a nutshell, while Hamlin is gunning for Chastain’s reign of chaos to end, he’s subtly cheering for the new blood, Carson Hocevar. What’s next? Will Hamlin’s calls echo through NASCAR, or will it be business as usual?