Stenhouse has vowed retaliation on rival Carson Hocevar. Will NASCAR payback be delivered at Pocono?
LONG POND, Pa. (AP) — Carson Hocevar walked around Pocono Raceway without a scratch on his face. His polo shirt looked more tailored than tattered and the Spire Motorsports driver was ready to race rather than rumble. HT Image
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. hadn't socked Hocevar with a right hook quite yet — hot on the heels of Stenhouse's threat to beat up his racing rival after last weekend's race in Mexico City — leaving the next shot at any potential retaliation inside or outside the cars set for Sunday's NASCAR race.
Hocevar should walk with his head on a swivel because Stenhouse can throw a right hook.
Just ask Kyle Busch, who suffered a crushing TKO loss when he clashed with Stenhouse after last year's All-Star race.
Get ready! The Pounding at Pocono could be just another round in the ongoing feud between Stenhouse and Hocevar.
'He probably will be looking over his shoulder for a long time,' Stenhouse said Saturday at Pocono. 'We'll see how that goes.'
Hocevar has to look over his shoulder — and for that charging Chevrolet in his rearview mirror.
'The scorecard has it that I I'm getting something from the 47 at some point, right? And I think my team and everybody kind of knows that,' Hocevar said.
Their beef has little chance of getting squashed any time soon, a dispute that started three races ago when Hocevar wrecked Stenhouse early at Nashville. Hocevar sent Stenhouse spinning last week in Mexico City, which ignited the postrace melee on pit road.
Stenhouse seemed to grab at Hocevar as he spoke to him, then slapped at his helmet as Stenhouse walked away.
Hocevar's in-car camera captured audio of the confrontation.
'I'm going to beat your (behind),' Stenhouse threatened. 'You're a lap down, you've got nothing to do. Why you run right into me? It's the second time. I'm going to beat your (behind) when we get back to the States.'
Hocevar avoided a smackdown from Stenhouse but his Spire team hit him where it hurts — a $50,000 fine on Tuesday for derogatory comments he made about Mexico City on a livestream as NASCAR raced there last weekend.
At just 23 and in his second full Cup season, Hocevar has whipped himself into a flurry of unwanted attention, continuing a trend that started last year when even veteran Denny Hamlin chimed in and said NASCAR had ' to do something to Carson.'
Stenhouse might do it on behalf of the sanctioning body with his fist or even his No. 47 Chevrolet.
Hocevar conceded, yes, payback may be imminent and the time to talk out their lingering issues is over.
Yet, Hocevar pleaded: 'It's not an open hunting season on the 77 because of these incidents.'
Hocevar stamped his own target on his back. With his aggressive racing. With his ignorant words.
'Just because I do something in the heat of the moment or maybe, you know, you do it two or three times, doesn't mean I'm not hard on myself for those mistakes because they are mistakes,' he said. 'It's just trying not to make that a pattern. But when you're constantly making aggressive moves like we're doing, it's balancing that fine line of, you know, you make a thousand moves a day. Just unfortunately, what people remember isn't always the good ones. You always remember the negative ones.'
Case in point, Hocevar walked back his derisive comments about Mexico after he actually experienced the culture of the country following NASCAR's foray into a new Cup Series market.
'I didn't give it a shot. I didn't give it a chance,' Hocevar said. 'I didn't go walk around. I didn't go see it. When I did, you know, then hindsight's 20/20, then I have my own opinion. But I've already put it out there.'
Spire also ordered Hocevar to attend cultural-sensitivity and bias-awareness training.
He can be thankful he gets a shot at another race. Stenhouse's spotter, Tab Boyd, was fired this week by HYAK Motorsports in the wake of an unflattering social media post about his experience in Mexico.
'That's above my paygrade,' Stenhouse said.
The biggest KO so far came in the standings, where Stenhouse has been flattened in just three weeks from 13th in points in the thick of playoff contention before Nashville to 21st entering Pocono. Hocevar is one point ahead of Stenhouse in the standings.
'That's the thing that hurts worse for our team is just where it's put us,' Stenhouse said.
Stenhouse's trash talk more worthy of UFC hype could put him in hot water should he actually deliver on his vowed retribution and take out Hocevar.
If it comes to a point where NASCAR dishes out a monetary punishment, it's OK, the 2023 Daytona 500 champion could afford his fine. He just sold his North Carolina estate for $12.2 million, the highest-priced residential sale ever recorded in the greater Charlotte metro area.
'It's been a big week. We've had a lot going on,' Stenhouse said, laughing.
He'd rather talk real estate than about the space and time wasted thinking about Hocevar.
'I'm just honestly tired of talking about the kid,' Stenhouse said.
Tired of the talk? Sure. Of the action? Not just yet.
'Eventually it'll all come together at some point,' Stenhouse said. 'I'm not sure when or how. But it will."
___
AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
IND vs ENG: 'Knee in a mess, scars all over face' - Former India coach recalls Rishabh Pant's horrific car accident
India's Rishabh Pant, right, celebrates after scoring a century on day two of the first cricket test match between England and India at Headingley in Leeds, England, Saturday, June 21, 2025, (AP Photo/Scott Heppell) Former India head coach Ravi Shastri praised Rishabh Pant 's remarkable innings of 134 runs off 178 balls against England in the opening Test at Leeds on June 22. Pant's innings, featuring 12 fours and six sixes, included unconventional shots and a celebratory somersault after reaching his century. The 27-year-old wicketkeeper-batter achieved his seventh Test century, marking his second since recovering from a severe car crash in late 2022. Pant showcased his unique batting style, including a 'falling paddle' shot and reached his century with a one-handed six over mid-wicket off spinner Shoaib Bashir. India lose momentum on Day 2 | England Fight Back at Headingley "Outrageous. He plays the numbers game beautifully, plays the way he wants. He will block for a bit and then shift gears," Shastri said on Sky Sports. "He has his own computer and only he knows how it works. That's his USP. That's what puts bowlers under pressure and makes him box office, a real entertainer and a match winner," Shastri elaborated about Pant's approach. Shastri reflected on Pant's recovery from the accident, explaining the significance of his celebration. "That's why there was that celebration. Thanking the man upstairs for giving him the opportunity." "I think his recovery from that accident had a lot to do with the frame of his body and being mid-20s. When I saw him in hospital, it wasn't a pretty sight. Knee in a mess, scars all over the face, bruises all over the body," Shastri added. Former Surrey and Sussex batter Ian Ward, while commentating for Sky Sports, praised Pant's performance. "This fella is box office. One of the great entertainers and one of the best hundred celebrations I have seen. He's a character, this boy." The innings also impressed Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar , who had previously criticized Pant's shot selection during the Australia series. After witnessing Pant's performance in Leeds, Gavaskar repeatedly said "superb, superb, superb." The unorthodox batter's performance at Headingley demonstrated his recovery and return to form, entertaining the crowd with his distinctive batting style and memorable celebration. Follow all the live updates, scores, and highlights from the India vs England Test match here . Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Tennis round-up: Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev reach finals; Marketa Vondrousova stuns World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka
Spain's Carlos Alcaraz (Adam Davy/PA via AP) NEW DELHI: Carlos Alcaraz booked his spot in the Queen's Club final for the second straight year with a commanding 6-4, 6-4 win over Roberto Bautista Agut. Extending his career-best winning streak to 17 matches, the world number two produced 36 winners and 15 aces in the sweltering London heat. Alcaraz, aiming to become just the second Spaniard to win Queen's twice, will face Czech rising star Jiri Lehecka, who upset Britain's Jack Draper 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 to reach his first ATP grass-court final. Lehecka, the first Czech in the Queen's final since Ivan Lendl in 1990, edged past a flu-ridden Draper, who was pushing through a bout of tonsillitis. Despite the setback, Draper fought hard, but admitted post-match that it was the worst he'd felt all week. Lehecka also defeated Alex de Minaur and Jacob Fearnley en route to the final. Meanwhile, in Halle, Daniil Medvedev overcame Alexander Zverev 7-6(3), 6-7(1), 6-4 in a gruelling three-hour semi-final to reach his first final in 15 months. Medvedev will face defending champion Alexander Bublik in Sunday's final after the Kazakh served 19 aces in a comeback 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 win over fellow Russian Karen Khachanov. Bublik, ranked 45, is chasing his fifth career title and his second straight Halle crown. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Our one of a kind Patented Cold Water Extraction Process Superior Ginseng Undo In women's action, Marketa Vondrousova pulled off a stunning 6-2, 6-4 win over world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the Berlin Open semifinals. The 2023 Wimbledon champion reached her first final since that Grand Slam triumph, and notched her maiden career win over a current No. 1. She will face Chinese qualifier Wang Xinyu, who advanced to her first WTA final with a dominant 6-4, 6-1 victory over Liudmila Samsonova. Sunday's finals promise high-stakes grass-court drama as Wimbledon looms. Follow all the live updates, scores, and highlights from the India vs England Test match here . Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
India Gazette
4 hours ago
- India Gazette
Suhail Bhat's dream run: From watching on sidelines to playing for India and Mohun Bagan
Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], June 22 (ANI): Suhail Bhat's rise from a ball boy to a national team player is nothing short of inspiring. Now, the young talent is living his dream at Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG), according to the official website of the Indian Super League (ISL). He was part of MBSG's historic Indian Super League double-winning squad in the 2024-25 campaign. He also won the Durand Cup and the League Shield in his debut season with the club in the 2023-24 season. Hailing from Jammu and Kashmir, Bhat started his career with Indian Arrows. Later, the forward joined the MBSG reserve squad, and his goalscoring potential caught the attention quickly, opening the doors to the first team. 'I used to play for the Arrows, and when we finished the AFC U-19, my agent called me and said, 'MBSG are interested in you.' I was like, 'Okay, I'm going there no matter how much money they're offering.' So, basically, right from the start, I felt in my heart that I wanted to join MBSG,' he said in an interview with MBSG TV, as quoted from the official website of ISL. 'After that, I came here and played for the reserve team. Back then, in the reserve team, we had a really good understanding among us, so because of that, I was able to score more goals. I scored goals in the Calcutta Football League (CFL) and in the Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) as well. In my debut, I scored a hat-trick against Mohammedan (Sporting Club) SC--that was the best debut of my life. I scored that hat-trick. That's where my career started, and I never looked back and kept working harder and harder,' he added. Bhat took pride in being part of MBSG's squad. When quizzed about his thoughts on the Mariners' journey throughout the 2024-25 season, he answered, 'It's amazing. When I look back, it feels incredible. It's like an unbelievable season,' he noted. 'I still can't believe it--we've won so many trophies. So, when I look back now, I get that experience of how we work together as a team and how we get back up when we lose. So, it is all about the feeling of winning the Shield and the Cup together--it still feels like a dream,' he further added. Bhat showed glimpses of his talent in the Kalinga Super Cup 2025, where he scored two goals and was recently called up to the senior Indian national team. Under Manolo Marquez's guidance, he also made his debut for the Blue Tigers against Thailand in an international friendly. The 20-year-old forward shared his joy at receiving his first-ever national team call-up and spoke about the experience of sharing the dressing room with the likes of Sunil Chhetri and other senior players. 'Since I started playing football, I was in the under-16s, then under-19s, then under-23s (for the) AFC qualifiers. Every time, my focus was only to get into the senior team and experience playing at that level and play for the country,' he said. 'It was like a dream when I got my first call-up from the senior team. I still can't believe it. I've been there alongside everyone, including Sunil Chhetri Bhai and all the senior players who have helped and supported me. They're always telling me to keep going, and it's an amazing feeling to be there,' he signed off. (ANI)
