Overview

• Hocevar intentionally pulled aside late at Watkins Glen to let Zane Smith pass and privately vowed to ‘pay back’ their Iowa spin.
• He has not yet reconciled with Spire Motorsports teammate Michael McDowell after a contact-induced spin and late-race swipe.
• Hocevar was reported to have impeded Brad Keselowski’s qualifying lap at Watkins Glen, drawing further garage scrutiny.
• Denny Hamlin praised Hocevar’s acknowledgment of mistakes and his efforts to make amends away from the spotlight.
• Dale Earnhardt Jr. warned on his podcast that Hocevar’s escalating pattern of conflicts could trigger formal NASCAR or team sanctions if unchecked.