Crazy altercation as two NASCAR drivers punch on
Joey Logano might have captured the chequered flag in Sunday’s (AEST) NASCAR race in Bristol, but his victory was quickly overshadowed by an old-school fight on pit road between Carson Hocevar and Ryan Blaney.
With just over 40 laps remaining, Hocevar and Blaney were locked in a battle for second place and 23-year-old Hocevar wrecked Blaney from behind, sending his car spinning.
Carson Hocevar threw the first punch. Chris Graythen
Refusing to lift off the gas, Hocevar continued to finish third as Blaney sustained heavy damage and was relegated to a 33rd-place finish, ruled out of the race.
“Something is going to happen,” Blaney was heard saying, incensed by the incident and waiting to confront the young driver on pit road.
Hocevar stopped his car and was greeted by a shove from Blaney. Hocevar quickly responded by swinging two punches at Blaney, who fell to the pavement.
Blaney rose and tried to come back at Hocevar, but ended up taking the worse end of the altercation, eventually the two being separated by their crews.
Hocevar is known in NASCAR for his brash attitude, he’s earned the ire of veterans with his aggressive driving, but never been in a physical altercation before in the series.
As all eyes were locked on the fallout after the race, winner Logano started from the pole and secured the win to move into third place in the points standings.
Kyle Larson crossed the line in second place, moving him into the Chase lead by a single point over Denny Hamlin.
Christopher Bell claimed fourth, while Ty Gibbs finished fifth after dominating much of the night with 120 laps led.
Gibbs was driving a No.54 Toyota that sported a paint scheme honouring the late Kyle Busch, who had a record 23 wins in NASCAR national series at Bristol.
