Carson Hocevar has figured out how to make himself impossible to ignore.
Now there is a much bigger question surrounding the Spire Motorsports driver:
How much is his reputation costing the team?
Hocevar has become one of NASCAR’s biggest villains through an aggressive driving style and an unapologetic attitude.
The latest example came at Darlington, where he sent Brad Keselowski spinning during the Southern 500. Keselowski immediately promised payback, telling Hocevar to “watch out.”
Hocevar’s response?
He essentially shrugged.
That is classic Hocevar.
But his antics have created a fascinating dynamic inside Spire.
One of his teammates has acknowledged the upside of Hocevar’s personality and aggression while pointing to the team’s reputation as the obvious downside.
And that is the part worth watching.
Because Hocevar is good.
Really good.
He won earlier this season at Talladega and entered the playoffs as one of Spire’s championship contenders.
His personality also sells.
Spire has clearly recognized that. The organization recently posted a graphic embracing the insults Hocevar receives, including “moron,” “iPad kid” and “wannabe.”
That is not an accident.
Hocevar gets attention.
Attention sells merchandise.
Attention creates headlines.
Attention puts Spire in the conversation.
But there is another side.
Drivers remember who they race aggressively.
Sponsors remember headlines.
And teams have reputations, too.
Hocevar himself has even joked that he does things for “TV and entertainment purposes” and “the clicks.”
That might be the most honest description of the entire situation.
Carson Hocevar is becoming NASCAR’s ultimate villain.
Spire just has to decide how much of that villainy it wants attached to its name.
Because right now, the kid is bringing attention.
The question is whether he’s bringing too much.