NASCAR VP explains Carson Hocevar, Josh Berry penalties
Motorsport.com • • sports
Key Points:
- NASCAR Vice President of Competition Elton Sawyer explained that penalties against Carson Hocevar and Josh Berry for brake checking at Martinsville were based on clear SMT data showing deliberate hard braking that endangered other drivers.
- Hocevar was fined $100,000 and lost 25 driver points for repeatedly slamming brakes in front of Austin Cindric despite spotter warnings, while Berry received a $50,000 fine and 25 points for a single hard brake that forced Ryan Blaney off track.
- Spire Motorsports independently suspended Hocevar for the season finale, a decision separate from NASCAR's penalties.
- Sawyer emphasized NASCAR's commitment to improving real-time officiating using data and underlined that the penalties were necessary because drivers had requested softer front bumpers to reduce impacts and promote cleaner racing, which were misused as weapons by Hocevar and Berry.
- While NASCAR does not currently plan to reverse softer bumper regulations, Sawyer acknowledged ongoing evaluation to balance safety with the traditional short track racing style fans expect.
