Carson Hocevar admits 'not squeaky clean' record, says SMT data shows who's to blame with Harrison Burton

It’s been exactly one week since Carson Hocevar intentionally spun Harrison Burton under caution at Nashville, a move which ended up costing him.

NASCAR fined Hocevar $50,000 and docked him 25 driver points for violating the NASCAR Member Code of Conduct. The penalty drops Hocevar from 22nd to 24th in the standings, 181 points behind the playoff cutline. Spire Motorsports elected not to appeal the penalty.

Speaking with Dustin Long of NBC Sports ahead of Sunday’s Chicago Street Race, Hocevar admitted his track record isn’t “squeaky clean,” which likely played a part in the penalty being as severe as it was.

Carson Hocevar on #NASCAR penalizing him for turning Harrison Burton under caution last week and what he says the SMT data shows about the incident. pic.twitter.com/6rMmRu8OMX

— Dustin Long (@dustinlong) July 6, 2024

“I don’t know what went into their decision,” Hocevar said. “Obviously, my track record is not squeaky clean, but I guess you would have to ask NASCAR in that sense. We’re in their sandbox, whether they wanna rule on one decision you make or others on track record probably play a part.”

Carson Hocevar looking to rebound from fine, penalty

Hocevar previously tried to purposely wreck a driver in a Truck Series race last season and was issued a two-lap penalty. This particular incident occurred with 56 laps remaining in the final stage of the race, Hocevar was bothered by the way Burton had been racing him.

“He’s wrecked you under green, he’s wrecked you under caution” Burton was told on the radio.

Burton replied: “I’m f***ing over. I’m done with it. He just wrecked me under caution because I blocked him on the backstretch. He can kiss my ass.”

Burton later wrecked out of the race for good, finishing 28th. Hocevar, meanwhile, came out with a P16 finish. Hocevar said the SMT data shows a “different picture completely of the whole situation,” though he said he won’t release it to the public.

“I respect their decision,” Hocevar said. “It doesn’t matter if I agree or disagree. … I mean, if you see the SMT, I think you’ll understand and think that shows a different picture completely of the whole situation. But there’s no point of me to release that or do anything. It is what it is, and I’ll move on. My team is very supportive of me, and I think they fully believe and are in full support and reassured me of that. That’s what really matters to me.”

Hocevar will start 13th in the Chicago Street Race, needing a win to clinch a spot in the playoffs.