Kenny Wallace defends Carson Hocevar after Atlanta: 'Next superstar'

Last night, Carson Hocevar was about five seconds away from earning his first career NASCAR Cup Series win, and he made a big splash. Kenny Wallace, former driver and fan-favorite, loved what he saw from the young racer.

There are few who find joy in racing like Kenny Wallace. His takes are real and raw on his Coffee With Kenny videos, Kenny Conversation, and his other shows and video series.

This morning, the Herminator had many thoughts on Atlanta and the weekend. He spent a little bit of time talking about Carson Hocevar and giving him a little bit of advice as well.

“Carson Hocevar,” Wallace said with a big laugh. “Young kid. Roughing the veterans’ feathers up and boy they don’t like it. Of all people. Of all people, Ross Chastain is going to have a talk with Carson Hocevar. It was three years ago that the whole field was ready to kill Ross Chastain, and I done the video behind the house at the swimming pool. … Remember when Rick Hendrick was mad at Ross and he was having a good old time roughing feathers up? Now our next superstar is Carson Hocevar.

“So, Kyle Busch said Carson Hocevar is fast but his moves were too close. Like, Kyle said, I had to let out of the gas, I had to let out of the gas. He blocked me. So, now everybody’s mad at Carson Hocevar.

“My message to Carson is this, this too shall pass, but you gotta listen to them. Because I’ve pissed people off too. You’re new, and you’re up front. They’re like, ‘Who the hell is this 77 he’s never up here, why is he up here?’ You’re running good now Carson, you have arrived, and you’re going to piss the front runners [off] because you’re taking one of their spots.”

Kenny brings up a lot of good points here. Ross Chastain was more or less in this same position in 2022 and 2023. Carson Hocevar even made an apology to Rick Hendrick and Kyle Larson for not pushing the 5 at the end.

Kenny Wallace gives advice to Carson Hocevar

During his coffee talk, Kenny Wallace kept on about Carson Hocevar. When it comes to this kind of thing, just about every racer has been through a similar situation. Young driver makes an older driver or two upset. Tale as old as time.

“So just be respectful,” Wallace said. “Ross is driving good now, he’s one of the veterans. So, listen to Ross. They’re all going to try to make you feel bad but that’s only because you’re taking their money from them.”

Chastain acts as a mentor to Hocevar in the Cup Series. Both have a relationship going back to Niece Motorsports in the Truck Series. As Chevy drivers the two spend a good deal working together.

Last night, he pulled Carson Hocevar to the side and talked to him. Then Ryan Blaney talked to him. Everyone knows he’s fast and talented, they say as much. He has to refine it and control it now.

“That’s all there is to it, it’s short and sweet about Carson,” Wallace concluded. “Carson Hocevar has arrived, he’s been fast. That team’s got it going on now.”