Drivers suddenly became spectators after the NASCAR Cup race at Bristol, watching on (most with glee) as Ryan Blaney confronted Carson Hocevar, with Hocevar punching Blaney twice in the face in the first real fight we’ve seen after a Cup race in over two years.
The last time there was a fight like this at the highest level of the sport was the 2024 All-Star Race, featuring Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Kyle Busch at North Wilkesboro.
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Now for a look at some of the best reactions from current and past NASCAR drivers and even some beyond the world of stock car racing after a wild night at Bristol:
Ty Gibbs
On the cooldown lap, it looked like there was a moment between Gibbs and Hocevar, with the No. 54 team warning him “don’t clown with him.” Afterwards, he was parked directly ahead of Hocevar and his rearview camera caught the entire fight.
Gibbs smiled wide as the brawl unfolded, and even tossed a water bottle into the middle of the fight. It flew over Hocevar’s head, and struck the camera held by a Frontstretch.com reporter who was recording the confrontation.
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Josh Berry and Ryan Preece
Moments after the fight, Hocevar turned to the fans and tried to hype up the crowd. Nearby, Ryan Preece was pointing at him and shouting something. Hocevar responded and it did not look friendly, but we aren’t sure what words were shared.
Josh Berry was standing with Preece, and mockingly waved goodbye to Hocevar before mimicking the way he hyped up the track, laughing as he did.
“I didn’t really see the accident to see what actually caused it, but just, yeah, it was a long time coming,” Berry told Motorsport.com after.
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Bubba Wallace
“I was just trying to figure out what was going on,” Wallace said in response to a question from Motorsport.com. “I was proud of Blaney for having some passion. I don’t know what led to that, I’ve just seen the aftermath of him in the wall, but I’ll have a beer with him and figure it out.”
When asked if he had ever seen his close friend Blaney that angry, Wallace replied: “No, that surprised the f*** out of me.”
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Christopher Bell
“This place is awesome,” said Bell, laughing. “This place is absolutely awesome “I love Bristol. I don’t know what to say, but I love Bristol.”
Trevor Bayne tried to ask him questions about his own race but Bell just kept laughing as he saw more replays: “I mean this is just awesome.”
Joey Logano
“Yeah, again, I don’t know the details of what happened there and how and why. I don’t feel comfortable speaking on it until I see anything. I’d probably say something I regret if I haven’t seen it. Like I said, I’m sure I’ll see it. They’ll probably forget who won the race (laughing).”
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Dale Jarrett
“I think he has shown that this is how he’s going to race. You take a chance whenever you try to make a block on that young man, and that driver, who is very aggressive, doesn’t mind being that and he stuck with that … something that we haven’t seen until this moment right here, and that he is willing to stand his ground. If you’re wanting to get physical about this and have something to say and start pushing around, he’s going to be there.
“And look like he’s willing to take on all comers whenever that happens.”
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Jeff Burton
“This incident, in and of itself, no big deal, but it’s incident after incident after incident where the garage gets tired of it and this is where this spills over. This is bound to happen. It’s just a matter of time, and I’ll be honest, I’m surprised it took this long.
“And you have to know that’s who you’re racing. In the same token, I’ve said before, the garage, at some point, is going to get tired of it, and they’re not going to give him any slack.
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“And no one has really stood up to him, to be honest with you. Blaney is the first one to really confront him in a big, big way. It will continue to happen.”
Other drivers on social media
Scott McLaughlin: “They’ll replay the fight all week on social, get there social numbers up and then fine them both a tonne at the end of the week and say bad bad boys … make it make sense”
Cleetus McFarland: “Carrson Hocevar keeping us entertained tonight!”
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Taylor Gray: “Big Blaney fan now,” and later in response to fan saying Blaney got his ‘ass whooped:’ “Can’t do much when the security guard tackles him.
Dean Thompson: “Remember kids, always swing first”
Regan Smith: “Wanted to go to bed after the race, but what too much fun stuff to scroll coming out of Bristol right now. One thought: PLEASE NO PENALTIES NASCAR.”
Corey LaJoie: “Man I can’t get enough of all the videos from last night. I’ve got many thoughts on Carson and Blaney scrapping but the main thing being…..I need to schedule myself a haircut.”
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Marco Andretti: “Can’t even watch anymore. Just have to wait for the posts on who he took out each week. Getting old to me.”
Watch: From on-track to fight, this is what happened between Blaney and Hocevar
Read Also:
Carson Hocevar punches Ryan Blaney after late Bristol NASCAR clash
Ric Flair told drivers to take their helmets off and fight; NASCAR delivered
Joey Logano basks in boos after stealing NASCAR Cup win at Bristol
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