NASCAR team owner told 'stay the hell off TV' after controversial incident

Joshua Mbu Fri, September 25, 2026 at 12:21 PM UTC

0

Carson Hocevar's fight with Ryan Blaney continues to be a hot topic (Image: Getty)

Spire Motorsports owner Jeff Dickerson has been told to "stay the hell off TV" over comments made following Carson Hocevar's explosive fist fight with Ryan Blaney at Bristol last weekend. Hocevar attempted a crossover move as Blaney moved to protect the inside, with the contact sending Blaney into the wall and ending his race after he had led a race-high 202 laps.

After being checked at the infield care center, Blaney confronted Hocevar near his No. 77 Chevrolet, grabbing and pushing him before Hocevar responded with two punches. Blaney eventually returned fire as NASCAR officials and crew members separated the pair.

Blaney later admitted that he got his "a- kicked" by Hocevar, but the incident remains a hot topic in the NASCAR world heading into this weekend's race at Kansas Speedway, with both still competing in the championship "Chase." It comes after a female NASCAR broadcaster was slammed for her coverage of the fight.

Bubba Wallace refuses to apologize to Kyle Larson and admits 'people are going to hate me'

Denny Hamlin makes feelings clear on Carson Hocevar 'disrespect' to NASCAR drivers

After the race, Spire owner Dickerson weighed in on the incident, offering his perspective. Dickerson stated his intention to defend Hocevar, whose actions drew a raucous reaction from the crowd.

"We're just surprised he can fight. What do you mean? What's he going to get penalized for? By who? I thought the drivers can fight. They can't get penalized. Look at this s--[pointing towards the cheering fans]," Dickerson said.

Hocevar and Spire Motorsports have come under fire following the incident (Image: Getty)

However, Dickerson has now been slammed by Rick Mast on the Herm and Schrader podcast, who has instructed Dickerson to "stay the hell off TV."

Advertisement

"I watched all. I'm like, man, I don't know you. I know your name and hear about you all the time, but you need to stay the hell off TV. You don't need the interviews. Just get away and do something else, man. And that's not good," Mast said.

Hocevar's punch-up with Blaney came just weeks after he risked the wrath of Brad Keselowski. An on-track incident led Keselowski to warn Hocevar of future retribution. At that time, Championship hopeful Denny Hamlin also hit out at Spire, claiming, "There are no adults in the room."

After last weekend's fight, Hamlin again weighed in. Hamlin called out "disrespect" on Hocevar's part but acknowledged the difference in how the 23-year-old's actions are perceived between fans and drivers.

"I'm not a Carson Hocevar hater whatsoever. I think that he's doing a lot of good things for the sport but I think the disconnect comes from, as drivers, I don't handle - and I'm only going to speak for myself here - I don't handle the disrespect very well. It's the off-track stuff of, 'OK, well hey, another six percent off or another 12 percent off.' To me, that would bug me," he said.

"To me, that would bug me. If that was me and he would run an 11 percent after he just crashed me, that would bother me as much as the on-track. Now, the on-track really hurts because I put so much work and effort into this, I don't want someone out there just being nonchalant, playing a game at my expense," Hamlin continued.

It comes as NASCAR fans have made their feelings clear on the Blaney and Hocevar punishment decision.

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Sports”