Jimmie Johnson has weighed in on the Carson Hocevar debate. The seven-time Cup Series champion says the young driver is exactly what NASCAR needs, with a few catches.
Hocevar has few friends on the track. His aggressive style has drawn criticism all season, but his popularity is soaring and his merchandise is selling faster than anyone else’s.
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Johnson knows the situation from both sides.
Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images
Johnson’s mixed verdict on Hocevar
Writing on X on Friday, Johnson gave his opinion in four points:
‘My opinion: Carson Hocevar is one of many personalities our sport needs. Now I should state a few things…’
‘1. He drove for us and has only spoken to us once in two-ish years since.’
‘2. I’m frustrated with his mistakes wrecking our cars.’
‘3. I by no means won over the core NASCAR fan base.’
‘And 4. Merch sales don’t lie.’
Hocevar raced part-time for Johnson’s Legacy Motor Club in 2023, taking part in eight events before moving to Spire Motorsports for 2024. That early contact, and the distance since, frames Johnson’s frustration.
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The merchandise point is hard to argue with. NASCAR revealed this week that Hocevar ranks No. 1 in online retail sales on the NASCAR Shop website and sits in the top five trackside. At this time last year, he was 32nd.
Johnson knows what it is like to face the boos. The 83-time race winner was not loved during his five straight championship run between 2006 and 2010, and fans regularly complained that his dominance made the sport dull.
He has a point about personalities, too, and it carries real weight.
Hocevar is having a career season, reaching Victory Lane at Talladega and clinching his first Chase spot at New Hampshire. That race captured everything about him, with the 23-year-old spinning, being accused of causing a caution on purpose and somehow recovering to finish 19th.
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The recent form has dipped, with three races without a top-19 finish behind him, and he has fallen from fifth to 11th in the standings.
None of that matters to the audience he has built. The Hocevar movement is driving sales and eyeballs at a time when NASCAR wants both.
Johnson’s verdict is not a full endorsement. It is a recognition that the sport needs characters, even the ones who wreck your cars.
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