Ricky Stenhouse sends a blunt message to Carson Hocevar days after the duo's Nashville tangle: “I don't want a rivalry for running 15th”

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. had to leave the Cracker Barrel 400 race with a last-place finish due to an early incident with Carson Hocevar. The contact from Carson Hocevar on lap 106 sent the No. 47 driver into the wall on turn 4 of the track. This ended the race for Stenhouse Jr., ending his streak of finishing in all races this season. The HYAK Motorsports driver expressed his frustration about the incident and not receiving a call from Hocevar.

The 37-year-old driver recently indicated that all things have been settled between him and Carson Hocevar after he received a call from the young driver.

Yeah, I didn't need to think about it too much. I know what happened, but it's part of racing, too, at the same time. After Carson called me this week, I see what he was thinking that he could get to the inside of me before we turned down into the corner... The problem was, he didn't. Carson and I haven't had any issues before, and so I appreciate him reaching out and explaining what his thought process was in it. Like I told Carson, I don't mind a good rivalry, but I don't want a rivalry for running 15th. Like, if we're battling for wins and battling in the top-five week in and week out, that's great. But having a rivalry, not competing for wins, is kind of difficult," Stenhouse said via Sirius XM on X.

It looks like the situation between Stenhouse Jr. and Hocevar has been resolved for now until one of them again crosses the line and causes an incident. Stenhouse Jr. is disappointed but will move on from the result at Nashville and focus on the next race at Michigan. Hocevar, who finished second in Nashville, hopes to continue his form and achieve the best result possible in the next race.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. links Carson Hocevar to his dad, Dale Earnhardt Sr.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. had all the praise for the 22-year-old driver, Carson Hocevar. The veteran driver commended Hocevar's aggressive driving style, even comparing it to his legendary father, Dale Earnhardt Sr. Hocevar had an incident with Ricky Stenhouse Jr., hitting the rear of his car, and ending the race for the HYAK Motorsports driver at Nashville.

The incident led to several people criticising the young driver for his move, but Earnhardt Jr. advised Hocevar to continue the way he is racing.

"I think the guy reminds me of a 1979 Dale Earnhardt. Fast, not scared to use his front bumper, doesn't care if somebody gets mad about it, and is on the verge of becoming a star. And I say that to maybe encourage Carson to continue what he's doing because Dale Earnhardt ended up becoming a seven-time champion," Earnhardt Jr. said via Dale Jr. Download

Kyle Petty also had similar things to say about Hocevar. He highlighted the chances of Hocevar becoming a future champion as well, and drew similarities between him and Kyle Busch. The Spire Motorsports driver is currently ranked 17th in the Cup Series this season and hopes for a strong performance in upcoming races and a probable playoff finish this season.