The tension crackled at Iowa Speedway as two young NASCAR drivers exchanged another heated exchange. But for Denny Hamlin, the real story isn’t about racing contact – it’s about Carson Hocevar’s priorities. The veteran driver sees talent in the 22-year-old but questions whether the Spire Motorsports driver cares more about social media buzz than checkered flags.

Why Does Denny Hamlin Question Carson Hocevar’s Focus After Iowa?

After Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Hocevar may have made a new enemy this past race after moving Smith up the track at Iowa. The contact didn’t just ruffle the feathers of the No. 38 driver. It sparked tension between the crew chiefs, teams, and fans alike, with Smith’s crew chief confronting Hocevar after the race.

What stood out was the 22-year-old’s reaction. Despite the backlash and outrage, Hocevar seemed defiant and unbothered, even sharing a social media post following the 350-lap feature.

“I can tell you without a doubt, 100% he did not purposely hit Zane Smith,” began Hamlin, dissecting the mid-race slip. Speaking on his “Actions Detrimental” podcast, the No. 11 ace made it clear that Hocevar slipped up. “It was an accident.”

But Hocevar’s defiance provoked the veteran, who shared his concern that the Spire Motorsports driver is more concerned about his social media clicks than winning races.

“I’m telling you that your social media post – it’s good for clicks, bad for results. And I think he (Carson Hocevar) is after the clicks right now. That’s my opinion, I could be wrong,” Hamlin said.

How Did the Iowa Incident Unfold Between Hocevar and Smith?

Smith was running 23rd before the No. 77 of Hocevar got loose, sending him off into the SAFER barrier on Lap 229. The result? An eighth-place finish for the No. 77 and a dismal P36 finish for Smith. The contact got both Smith and his crew livid.

Later during the race, the 26-year-old attempted to repay Hocevar the favor. With 112 laps to go, Smith swiped at the No. 77 Chevy but failed to connect, prompting a dig from Hocevar, who said, “Nice try,” on the radio.

Tensions boiled over post-race as Ryan Bergenty, crew chief of the No. 38, confronted Hocevar mid-interview, hurling heated accusations about his driving style.

The Iowa fallout meant another missed opportunity for Smith, who had lost about 50 positions in the closing laps over the last four races before Iowa. Currently, he sits 27th in the points standings with three top-10s.