NASCAR Pushes 23-Year-Old Carson Hocevar as New Villain, Lifting Him to No. 1 in Merchandise Sales
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Sep 3
NASCAR Pushes 23-Year-Old Carson Hocevar as New Villain, Lifting Him to No. 1 in Merchandise Sales
2 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 3
Summary
NASCAR has begun openly promoting 23-year-old Carson Hocevar as a polarizing new face for the series, even circulating a release asking, “Does Everyone Hate Carson Hocevar?”
That push comes as Hocevar has surged to No. 1 in NASCAR Shop retail sales and into the top five trackside, after ranking just 32nd at the same point last season.
Hocevar’s profile has exploded beyond racing through social media attention and his link to TikTok influencer Tabitha Swatosh, who has more than 15 million followers.
The attention has coincided with a rough August on track — finishes of 31st, 37th, 19th and 38th — drawing criticism from Denny Hamlin and Kevin Harvick that fame is outpacing results.
NASCAR’s strategy reflects a wider need for a needle-moving antagonist after years of star retirements and Kyle Busch’s death in May, with Hocevar still 12th in the Cup Series and chasing more wins.