Two NASCAR insiders shared their ideas on what’s presently happening with Connor Zilisch and Carson Hocevar. On The Teardown podcast, Jeff Gluck and Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic defined why Hoecevar and Zilisch are being handled in a different way after making errors.
“Carson Hocevar has made his mattress, saying, ‘Hey, I’m right here to race for me, I’m right here to win for my staff, I don’t actually care. Do yoy wish to be in my boy band,‘ sort of stuff with the t-shirt,” Gluck mentioned. “He’s taking that strategy. The opposite strategy is Connor Zilisch within the Xfinity race likes run folks over, anger his teammates, runs Corey Heim off the observe. He is available in and he says, ‘Im mad at myself, I’m actually annoyed. I hate that, I actually received to scrub that up.’ He sort of owns that.”
Gluck then defined why he believes Carson Hocevar and Connor Zilisch are appearing the appropriate approach of their eventualities. “Carson Hocevar in Spire Motorsports automobile in Cup, he has received to be slightly bit extra aggressive,” Gluck added. “He has received to be placing his automobile in positions that different folks may not like as a result of he’s not in one of many quickest automobiles within the subject. He’s going to take the results of individuals getting upset with him or racing him more durable. He’s made his mattress with that.
NASCAR insiders share extra on Carson Hocevar and Connor Zilisch
“…Zilisch, alternatively, is in an elite automobile. He didn’t must do these issues within the Xfinity race. He was so quick. He even mentioned afterwards, ‘I ought to have simply pushed it 80 p.c of those locations.’” Gluck additionally mentioned Zilisch has “a lot time and a lot alternative to simply be affected person and work his approach via the sector.”
Bianchi then shared his ideas on Hocevar and Zilisch. “The dude was racing for the win,” Bianchi mentioned about Hocevar. “In the event you’re racing for a win, you need to be aggressive. It’s Spire Motorsorts. You don’t know if these alternatives are going to return once more. ..I perceive why Carson did that.
“What Carson doesn’t get is the advantage of the doubt, although, and I feel Connor does slightly bit as a result of he’s new. Connor has by no means deliberately spun any individual out. That’s the place plenty of the backlash for Hocevar is justified comes from due to what he did within the Truck Sequence, due to the Harrison Burton factor at Nashville. These incidents are inexcusable. You’re taking these away, I don’t suppose we’re having this dialog about Carson Hocevar to this diploma.”
Hocevar and Zilisch are two of the highest younger drivers in NASCAR. In 2024, Hocevar, 22, was named the NASCAR Cup Sequence Rookie of the 12 months after incomes six top-10 finishes. Zilisch, 18, made his Cup Sequence debut on Sunday. He gained the Xfinity Sequence race at COTA on Saturday.
