(Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

Carson Hocevar Confronted on Pit Road After O'Reilly Series Finish, Left Confused at Daytona

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jonathan Howard | Last updated Feb 14, 2026 9:19 PM ET

In a post-race confrontation between Carson Hocevar and Carson Ware, things seem to be more muddled than cleared up. Hocevar himself was left confused after the interaction as he spoke to media afterward.

Carson Ware finished P19 with Carson Hocevar behind him in P20. For one reason or another, Ware was not happy with Hocevar and let him know it after the finish. On pit road, Matt Weaver of Motorsport captured the heated interaction.

After Ware left, Hocevar approached Weaver to explain things. He also asked the reporter, "What was that?" before he could be asked the same.

Carson Hocevar pits at Daytona in the NASCAR O'Reilly Series race.(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

"I don't know. He just never went," Hocevar told Weaver. "So, I just like, flipped him off. He said he wanted to lay back, but it's like one to go. It would have been nice, to like, you know, we got damage and stuff from being behind him. Like, he pulled over, waved me by. I went by him, but they yelled at me not to get a penalty. What's the deal with Florida and me, man?"

Carson Hocevar has had a strange experience in Daytona this time around. He is competing in all three national series this weekend. His Truck and O'Reilly Series races were not the best. He had issues in both races. However, Hocevar was really good in his Duel race and almost won it over Chase Elliott, but couldn't get the run at the end.

For one reason or another, Carson Ware is upset. If Hocevar flipped him off, that's one thing, but it sounds like it was something deeper than just an errant bird.

Two races down, one more to go for Carson Hocevar. It could be the biggest race of his career if he can manage to win the Daytona 500 on Sunday. The Great American Race awaits in just hours.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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