Carson Hocevar walked away from the season’s second NASCAR Cup race with two things – his best career finish and a line of unhappy fellow competitors. Since the checkered-flag waved on his runner-up finish to Christopher Bell at Atlanta Motor Speedway, the 22-year-old driver has issued apologies to Ryan Blaney and Rick Hendrick.

NASCAR continues to search for a good way to handle last-lap cautions. Atlanta was nearly a 3-wide finish again. Carson Hocevar introduces himself.

Kyle Larson is the first one to admit he’s an aggressive driver in the NASCAR Cup Series. That driving style is a main reason why he’s recorded 29 career victories and won the 2021 championship.

The 22-year-old NASCAR driver will be starting up front in another Cup Series race after earning a Top Five finish.

Hocevar even had some fun with all the drama. Shortly after the race in Atlanta, when several drivers complained about him over the radio or confronted him in pit lane, Hocevar shot back: “We’re here to win races, not be a boy band and love each other and play in the playground together.”

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.

On Lap 4 of the race, Hocevar was battling with Jeb Burton when contact sent him into the outside wall, ending his day. What was a highlight of his career best finish last weekend in the Cup Series at Atlanta Motor Speedway ends short after announcing the driver change earlier this week.