Carson Hocevar posted a video on YouTube Thursday discussing his suspension from this weekend’s Cup race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Hocevar acknowledged intentionally brake-checking Austin Cindric multiple times during Sunday’s race at Martinsville and said he supports Spire Motorsports’ decision to suspend him.
“I brake-checked the 2 car, Austin Cindric, and I think it was three or four times,” Hocevar said. He apologized to Cindric, Team Penske and Spire Motorsports, and acknowledged that his actions went beyond aggressive racing. “It’s embarrassing and it’s just disrespectful.”
Hocevar said Spire Motorsports was not pressured by NASCAR to suspend him and defended the team’s decision. “I’m the bad guy. I made the mistake. I forced their decision,” he said.
He was also fined $100,000 and docked 25 driver points by NASCAR for behavioral code of conduct violations.
While admitting that he needs to show more respect for his other drivers, Hocevar said he does not intend to stop his aggressive driving style. He hopes to reduce the number of on-track incidents next season but said that what happened at Martinsville was different from ordinary racing contact.
Hocevar said he hopes the suspension will help him become a better driver and teammate.