Hamlin Cautions Hocevar Over Off-Track Taunts After Bristol Incident

Denny Hamlin says he respects Carson Hocevar's popularity but believes mocking drivers away from the track crosses a line.

Denny Hamlin said Carson Hocevar risks escalating conflicts with fellow NASCAR drivers by taunting them off the track after on-track incidents. Speaking on his "Actions Detrimental" podcast with guest Ryan Blaney, Hamlin addressed the fallout from the Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway.

The controversy began when contact between Hocevar and Blaney sent Blaney crashing out of second place. The two drivers exchanged blows on pit road after the race, and Hocevar later posted a 12 percent discount on his merchandise website as a jab at Blaney. A similar situation followed the Chase opener at Darlington, where Hocevar promoted a six percent discount after an incident with Brad Keselowski.

Hamlin said he is not a Hocevar detractor and credited the young driver with doing good things for the sport and its fans. However, he said the off-track mockery is where he draws the line.

"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," Hamlin said, adding that an egregious takeout feels like an indictment of the entire weekend's work by a driver and team.

Hamlin finished eighth at Bristol and lost the Cup Series points lead to Kyle Larson. He enters the next race at Kansas Speedway second in the standings, one point behind Larson.