Carson Hocevar is pushing back against comparisons to Dale Earnhardt Sr. that keep following him in NASCAR as he tries to build his own identity.

The Spire Motorsports driver keeps getting linked to Dale Earnhardt Sr., mostly because of how aggressive he is on track, and that talk has only grown over the past year.

Addressing the topic in a press conference, Hocevar said, “I think I’ve hit enough people already. I am just driving how I want to drive. I don’t really love the comparisons of what they have turned into.”

He added that what began as criticism for aggressive driving and not apologizing after incidents eventually escalated into claims that he was as good as Dale Earnhardt Sr., something he said he does not understand.

The comments show how things have gone past just driving style. Now it’s more about expectations, and that brings pressure and takes attention away from his own progress.

That’s only picked up going into Darlington, where his No. 77 Chevrolet will run a modern take on Earnhardt’s blue-and-yellow 1981 scheme from early in his career.

Hocevar says he just wants to be known for his own style, with his main focus on staying fast and competitive.

He added that, despite the spotlight around the throwback scheme, he would rather stay true to himself than try to live up to comparisons.

Hocevar is not the only driver leaning into NASCAR’s past at Darlington, with several teams bringing tribute schemes for the race weekend.

Embracing the Throwback Spirit

Todd Gilliland will be in the No. 34 for Front Row Motorsports with a red, white, and gold throwback to Bill Elliott’s 1985 Thunderbird, from a season where he won big.

RFK Racing is also running three throwback schemes linked to Greg Biffle’s cars, and they’re bringing back his number style across all three entries from the Roush days.

Legacy Motor Club’s No. 43 Toyota Camry will run a throwback to Wally Dallenbach Jr.’s 1994 car, with light blue and red colorway.

The weekend may celebrate NASCAR’s past, but for Hocevar, the bigger fight is making sure it does not define his future.

Read more at the RFK Racing Digest!

Written by

Aaradhya Singh

Edited by

Pulkit Prabhav