Everyone expected fireworks at Pocono this weekend when Ricky Stenhouse Jr and Carson Hocevar were set to add another episode to their high-stakes rivalry. The two have been stirring up tension all week, with Stenhouse saying, “He [Hocevar] probably will be looking over his shoulder for a long time,” and this time, Carson seemed rattled. What began as a strategic standoff that quickly turned into an on-track chess match, and the No. 77 driver blinked first.
With both drivers starting from opposite ends, Hocevar from third and Stenhouse Jr. back in 30th, it did not take long for the feud to bubble up. Within the opening third of the race, Stenhouse Junior sliced his way up the order, eventually climbing into the top five. Carson, after a blistering launch, briefly led the race after a push from Briscoe on a restart but couldn’t hang onto the position. And when Ricky came roaring back into his rearview mirror, the tone changed completely.
As reporter Jeff Gluck was quick to notice that, he posted on X: ” Carson Hocevar wants to know how many laps until he pits. But they can make it until the end of the stage. They might short-pit. Then he says, ‘Not me. Not me.’ They told him about the Penske cars. I think he wants to know about Stenhouse, obviously haha.” Gluck immediately confirmed in a follow-up post, writing, ” Yeah, he finally clarified he was talking about Stenhouse. ‘They can make it.’”
Well, Carson Hocevar did not want to be anywhere near Stenhouse Jr. on the racetrack, and it’s understandable. With threats like “I will beat your a– when we get back to the states” and Ricky Stenhouse Jr.’s history of punching drivers he feuds with (Kyle Busch), Hocevar has sensibly decided to retreat. The #77 knew he had a fast car, but he also knew Ricky would wreck him any chance he got. So, asking when Ricky pits? Just a subtle way of knowing how much fuel he needs to save to avoid pitting at the same time.
Yeah, he finally clarified he was talking about Stenhouse. “They can make it.” https://t.co/nvCPDM0jK5
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) June 22, 2025
After weeks of sparking controversy, defending his honor, and stepping up to the challenge, Carson finally let it go. In racing, and in war, sometimes surrender just shows itself in silent retreats, and today it came in that form of the pit stop. Carson didn’t wave the checkered flag; he waved a white one, and it came along before the end. However, this saga has just ended for now. Anything can happen as the playoff picture heats up!
Stay tuned for updates!
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