NASCAR chief says no penalties will be issued after Bristol post-race altercation
NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell announced that drivers Ryan Blaney and Carson Hocevar will not be fined or suspended for their on-track fight after the Bristol race, emphasizing the sport’s focus on passion over fighting.
NASCAR chief executive Steve O’Donnell told listeners of Kevin Harvick’s “Happy Hour” podcast on Monday that neither Ryan Blaney nor Carson Hocevar will face penalties for the confrontation that erupted after the September 19 race at Bristol Motor Speedway. The dispute began when Hocevar’s No. 77 car made contact with the left rear of Blaney’s No. 12, sending Blaney into the wall with 42 laps remaining. After the race, Blaney approached Hocevar on pit road, leading to a brief physical exchange in which Hocevar threw two punches and both drivers repeatedly engaged before separating.
“We’re not going to encourage fighting, but what we are going to encourage is passion,” O’Donnell said. “Those are two guys, you know, Blaney’s showing his passion, showing his fire … There’s nothing coming from us.”
Blaney later explained on Denny Hamlin’s “Actions Detrimental” podcast that he initially intended a “stern conversation” and that he “just really wanted to grab him and … yell at him, you know, and show my displeasure.” He acknowledged that his aggressive approach provoked a response and expressed regret for the escalation, noting that Hocevar “always chooses the nuclear option.”
Hocevar, a 23-year-old known for an aggressive driving style, finished third at Bristol, while Blaney placed 33rd. Both remain in the NASCAR playoffs, with Blaney sixth and Hocevar eighth in the standings.