Ken Schrader, Kenny Wallace leave no doubt where they stand on Carson Hocevar at Atlanta

NASCAR veterans Ken Schrader and Kenny Wallace chimed in on the future of Carson Hocevar following his aggressive performance in Atlanta last weekend.

During the Ambetter Health 400, Hocevar made some controversial moves throughout the race, ending up as the runner-up after adding some enemies to his rolodex, getting on the bad side of drivers like Ryan Blaney and Kyle Busch throughout the afternoon.

Some have theorized Hocevar needs to change his ways, similar to what Ross Chastain went through over the past couple of seasons. However, the veteran duo doesn’t want to see Hocevar neutered, and they believe the 22-year old needs to continue to cultivate his skill, and it’ll lead to great things in the future.

“He’s a good one,” Schrader said, regarding the Spire Motorsports wheelman, via Herm & Schrader. “One of his comments, I forget how he worded it, he says he’s got a little more stuff to figure out. However, he worded it a little different than that. But, you know, they always say it’s a whole lot easier to slow someone down than to speed them up, as far as getting them, you know — their whole mentality about driving.

“I don’t think he’s really got to be slowed down much. He just got to get a little smoother. But I talked to Andy Petrie today, and, you know, I mean — Petrie’s like, ‘That’s my guy, because he just — he wants it.’ … I think Carson Hocevar has arrived. He’s the guy.

“I think he has to listen to the guys. … You can’t listen to the guys you’re racing against telling you got to slow up. It’s like, ‘Wait a minute. You’re telling me I got to slow up?’ It’s got to get smoother. That’s all you got to do.”

Additionally, Wallace is certainly in agreement, believing Hocevar needs to have thick skin throughout this period of growth. If he’s able to, the future is more than bright for the young driver.

“I would say don’t get your feelings hurt, because I’ve seen this time and time again, where the veteran drivers try to hurt your feelings. They try to knock your ass down. I would listen and show them respect, but boy, you’ve got to stay on the gas,” Wallace added.

“… Wrecked some people. Carson Hocevar wrecked some people. But you can’t slow him up too much.”

Alas, it’ll be fascinating to see how the field treats Carson Hocevar moving forward, but it’s evident he has some fans in Ken Schrader and Kenny Wallace. The NASCAR Cup Series will brave COTA in Austin, Texas this weekend, and the Spire Motorsports driver will have another shot at proving his mettle against the best of the best.