**TLDR** — In a near photo-finish poll, 39% of 457 voters believe Carson Hocevar will have a better 2026 than William Byron, narrowly edging the 38% who insist Byron still has plenty left in the tank, while 23% are waiting until the Chase begins to call it. The Hocevar camp is loud and unfiltered — one reader compared the rising star's potential leapfrog to Jimmie Johnson eclipsing Jeff Gordon, while another labeled him a throwback to the 70s, 80s and 90s racers, fearing NASCAR will 'dull him up.' Byron skeptics pointed to a winless stretch as proof the No. 24 has lost its spark. But the doubters aren't silent either, with one fan still fuming over a wreck involving Erik Jones. The split is razor-thin, the rhetoric is spicy, and the 2026 season can't come soon enough for either fanbase.
Essentially Sports
Apr 28, 2026
Do You Feel Carson Hocevar Will Have a Better 2026 Than William Byron?
39%
Yes, It Only Gets Better From Here Now
179
38%
No, Byron Still Has Plenty Left in the Tank
174
23%
Let’s Wait Till the Chase Begins
104
457 readers voted
We asked readers to weigh in — 7 shared their take. Here’s what they said:
Reader Reactions
7
ed***a***s***0@gmail.com
Apr 27, 2026 · 1:10 PM EDT
Carson has the will and determination to maybe do it a few more times. My opinion is Carson could make Byron look like a rookie just like Jimmy Johnson did Jeff Gordon
dp***s**i**9@gmail.com
Apr 27, 2026 · 12:30 PM EDT
William Byron is not doing that well this year. He has not even won a race. You know he's not doing good when the announcers aren't even talking about him. If he's not on Kevin Harvick's lips you aren't doing well cause Kevin Harvick knows everything. Right Kevin?
ca***a**1***7@gmail.com
Apr 27, 2026 · 1:51 PM EDT
Hocevar is a throwback to the real racers of the 70's,80's&90's ! He's the real deal...but you know that the idiots at "nascrap" will reel him in and dull him up,just like everything else that's fun in racing!
mi****l***s****4@gmail.com
Apr 27, 2026 · 6:58 PM EDT
I wish people would stop comparing Hocevar to Earnhardt. THERE IS NONE! ME
mi***a***r***7@gmail.com
Apr 27, 2026 · 12:16 PM EDT
He wrecked 43 Erik Jones. Ticked he won.
we***d**4**4@gmail.com
Apr 27, 2026 · 9:50 PM EDT
This kid is the real deal being bad to the bone. Nascar is so concerned with the toyoties, Jordan and Gibbs being successful, that they were right before losing everything. Might want to give this kid a trophy for saving Nascar singlehandedly, yesterday!!!! Mr. Excitement is joining Larson as being a key player in keeping folks interested.
ke**y*w*s@gmail.com
Apr 27, 2026 · 12:40 PM EDT
Carson seems to now be accepted by other drivers. He showed he was a BETTER teammate than zillich in the Atlanta truck race being a wing-man for KYLE BUSCH. He also showed his loyalty to his owner Jeff Dickinson