Carson Hocevar (Left): Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Right): Credit -Randy Sartin-Imagn Images

Jun 11, 2026, 4:07 AM CUT

Dale Jr. Admits Getting A Taste of His Own Medicine as Carson Hocevar Fans Come After Him

For years, Dale Earnhardt Jr. was the driver at the center of criticism and backlash in the broadcasting booth while his loyal fan base defended him. Years later, Junior admitted what it felt like to be on the other side.

While talking about the same on his podcast, 'Dale Jr. Download,' the NASCAR Hall of Famer recalled how the broadcasters during his time had to face his loyal fans who fiercely defended him.

"Like if you say Carson did something wrong, they're (his fan base) like, 'Oh, hell no, brother. Carson don’t do any wrong. They was checking up. They was this. That was, you know, John Hunter Nemechek's fault.' They don't, you know, it's interesting because I'll be honest, man. Made me have a little bit of a soft spot in my heart for all the broadcasters that were broadcasting when I was racing."

During the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan, on Lap 84, Hocevar made a move on John Hunter Nemechek that did not stick. Instead, it triggered a huge nine-car pile-up.

LINCOLN, AL - APRIL 26: Carson Hocevar 77 Spire Motorsports Chili s Ride the Dente Chevrolet rides on the window ledge of his race car after winning his first NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series race, the Jack LinkÕs 500 on Sunday April 26, 2026 at the Talladega Superspedway in Lincoln, AL. Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire AUTO: APR 26 NASCAR Cup Series Jack LinkÕs 500 EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon95326042611951

Having been in the broadcasting booth, Junior had to call out the incident. But this was not received well by the No. 77 drivers' fans.

"Cause when I was out there f****** up, they had to call me out," he added. "And there's no telling the s*** that they got for it from my fans when they were like, "Oh, no. Dale didn't do that wrong. No, he didn't mess up. You got it wrong. You're blind." Um, so that was an interesting experience."

Now that he stands inside the broadcasting booth, Junior seems to understand what the role demands, even if it earns him the ire of dedicated fans.

However, Dale Earnhardt Jr. made it clear that the pushback from the fans will not influence how he calls races. He further added that he will not shy away from giving his opinion about incidents.

While defending their favored driver, Hocevar fans gave Junior a new, "interesting" perspective. Dale Jr. himself is no stranger to a passionate fan base. A former NASCAR driver can testify to the same.

Kevin Harvick Recalls Getting Dale Jr. Fans Mad

Similar to Hocevar, Earnhardt Jr had a huge and loyal fan following during his racing days. And the incident with NASCAR driver and commentator Kevin Harvick just proves that.

After the 2011 race, at Martinsville, Harvick overtook Dale Jr. to win the race. However, this did not sit well with the Junior fans as Kevin Harvick cost their favorite driver a win.

Harvick was booed at the speedway during his victory celebration. He thought he’d get away from all the booing after leaving the track. However, he was met with a surprise when he arrived home.

“I got home that weekend, and there were people waiting at my front gate at my house, Junior fans just screaming and yelling at me as I went through the gates,” Harvick recalled during his show, FOX Sports’ Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour.

He realized that fans could be unpredictable in how they react to their favorite driver's loss. For Harvick, that weekend his win against Dale Jr. became a double-edged sword.

Written by

Chionia Libania Colaco

Edited by

Arundhoti Palit