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Zane Smith didn’t hide how he felt about Carson Hocevar sitting out the NASCAR Cup Series season finale.
Speaking Saturday at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Smith was asked whether Hocevar’s suspension and penalty were the first real consequences Hocevar has faced. Smith agreed, and called it karma.
“Yeah, I suppose so,” Smith said. “I mean, I don’t care if he’s here or not, but yeah, glad he got some karma.”
What Led to Hocevar’s Suspension
At Martinsville Speedway last Sunday, Hocevar repeatedly brake-checked Austin Cindric, ending Cindric’s race. Spire Motorsports acted first, suspending Hocevar for Sunday’s Championship Race. NASCAR followed with a $100,000 fine and a 25-point penalty.
Hocevar has since addressed the penalties, saying his past fines didn’t change his behavior because “maybe the stove wasn’t hot enough.”
Smith on His Own Phoenix Penalty
Smith has been penalized in the feud, too. Three weeks ago at Phoenix Raceway, he rammed Hocevar on the cooldown lap, and NASCAR fined him $50,000.
Asked about that penalty, Smith said he had been frustrated.
“Hot. I was frustrated, especially at this time of year, but it is what it is.”
A Season-Long Feud
The two have clashed all year. Since July, Smith has called Hocevar a “coward” and said he doesn’t like him as a person.
It came to a head in July’s eero 400 at Chicagoland Speedway. On Lap 32, Smith appeared to wreck Hocevar on purpose, and he wrecked himself in the process.
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Smith never fully explained why. Many pointed back to last year’s race at Iowa, which ended with a heated confrontation between Hocevar and Smith’s crew chief, Ryan Bergenty.
NASCAR called both drivers to the hauler after Chicagoland. Smith doubled down afterward.
“I just don’t like him as a human,” Smith said. “The meeting doesn’t change how much I dislike him and how much he dislikes me.”
Hocevar answered with a joke.
“We’ll have to go to couples counseling, I’m sure,” Hocevar said. “You know, a lot of times with your partner and everything, you don’t see it, so unfortunate.”
NASCAR later chose not to penalize Smith for the Chicagoland wreck, and Hocevar said he agreed with that call.
“I was hoping they didn’t penalize him. That’d be really soft of the sport, personally.”
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