Hocevar vs Stenhouse is Officially NASCAR’s Brand New Rivalry!

In Mexico City, the answer to “Will Hocevar vs Stenhouse become a thing?” is a resounding yes! NASCAR’s first time south of the border in the Cup Series. Many struggled, including the young and talented Carson Hocevar. Who showed up late in the race, locked up, and hit Stenhouse? Tensions are high, and here’s why fans are eager for the next chapter of the Hocevar versus Stenhouse saga.

Solidifying Hocevar vs Stenhouse as an official thing and not a one-off, like Corey Lajoie was so afraid of it being. So now, as NASCAR and its fans head into the heart of summer, what fireworks will spark next from the 2 Chevy drivers? That’s precisely what I found out, so let’s finally get into it!

In NASCAR, It’s All About the Playoffs and Whether You’re In It

Stenhouse, the always underrated Mississippi man, came into Nashville barely in the playoffs on points, with Hocevar on the outside looking in, but still with a better shot than most. That’s when Hocevar vs Stenhouse began, with the No. 77 of Hocevar getting into the No. 47 of Stenhouse, spinning the NOS Energy Chevy around. As a result, Stenhouse was eliminated from the playoffs again, and Hocevar almost won, earning himself a golden ticket into the playoffs.

A Downward Slope Continued With Stenhouse In Mexico

Including his Nashville finish, Stenhouse’s last three finishes have been 39th, 20th, and 27th, a run that includes 2 of his worst finishes of the season. Stenhouse was involved in an incident earlier in the day with Herbst as well. This has seen him go from 15th in the standings to 20th, from being in the playoffs to being eliminated from them.

Hocevar Was Close to a Win at Michigan As Well

Only being robbed by a blown tire late in the running. Not only has Hocevar’s summer peak overshadowed the excellent work Stenhouse has been doing this year, but it has also overshadowed the excellent work Stenhouse has been doing this year. Previously in a playoff position with a car that isn’t even in the top 30 in pure pace. However, not too long ago, Stenhouse was in a very similar position to the one young Hocevar is currently in.

Hocevar vs Stenhouse Could be Viewed in Many Ways

Stenhouse, in 2014, was in his second year of Cup racing, still fresh off back-to-back Nationwide Series championships, being looked at to carry the uncertain future of Roush and continue Roush’s greatness. But (to be 100% honest, much to Spire’s credit right now), there were too many problems for one talented driver to overcome. Left with high expectations, a slow car, and an already aggressive driving style made for the perfect formula for younger Stenhouse to drive in over his head and make a lot of boneheaded mistakes.

Which offset many of his great drives under Roush, such as the 2016 Bristol. Which is why in 2018, after a series of infamous accidents, the nickname “Wrecky Spinhouse” was born! So perhaps Stenhouse is looking at the whole Stenhouse vs. Hocevar from a jealous perspective. Seeing as he entered the Cup Series with a similar style and a better resume, but hasn’t received the same level of hype from insiders or love from fans, he hasn’t been afforded the same second chances.

Or the Hocevar vs Stenhouse matchup may be his way of proving his growth to himself; while indirectly showcasing a younger driver and punishing him for the same mistakes he made at his age or Cup Series experience level and trying to get him to grow quicker than he did so that he can make the most out of his talent. In a way, Stenhouse was never given the chance after one too many mistakes.

Hocevar vs Stenhouse Could Become a Serious Wakeup Call

Currently, Hocevar is the hottest thing in the sport, bar none, with Dale Earnhardt Jr. comparing Hocevar to his father, which could be one of the most significant endorsements any driver could receive in motorsports. And the Hocevar vs Stenhouse rivalry is making him go viral everywhere right now! But it can all disappear so quickly. Consider Stenhouse or even Hocevar’s former teammate, Corey Lajoie. Before Hocevar vs Stenhouse was born, Lajoie was fighting Hocevar internally. Lajoie in 2021 was getting a lot of love from insiders and fans.

For his great drives, like a 15th at Darlington or an 18th at Sonoma, at a time when Spire was a backmarker team that was barely establishing itself. Lajoie was the leader of the team, and his occasional top-10 and top-15 runs helped Spire become what it is today. Thanks to Lajoie, after scoffing at lower series opportunities with top teams in exchange for continuing to build this backmarker team in Cup, Spire has become what it is today. Only to be thrown out of the team for a newer, younger, hotter driver, Carson Hocevar.

Final Thoughts on Hocevar vs. Stenhouse

After a poor first half of 2024, due to adjusting to no longer being the man, along with a new crew chief and even ignoring the second half of the season, where he earned 7 top 15 and 2 top ten finishes, the best half of racing of his career. After dismissing opportunities at JRM in Xfinity and MHR in Trucks in 2025, he’s working as an Amazon Prime analyst for NASCAR.

He has accepted a part-time gig with Spire, now competing in the Truck Series with the No. 07. Both Stenhouse and Lajoie show how Hocevar could learn from the Hocevar vs Stenhouse rivalry! He needs to calm down and focus his aggression more, and improve at making those big moves. And he should leave Spire soon for a better team. Thank you for reading my piece on the Hocevar vs. Stenhouse rivalry!