Blaney, ticked off after finishing 33rd following a crash that resulted from contact with Hocevar’s car, took a couple of swings at Hocevar.NASCAR star Ross Chastain called the incident "NASCAR 101.""But seeing Ryan be upset and go to Carson and seeing Carson defend himself when he gets grabbed, I think that's NASCAR 101.
I think that's what's made our sport," Chastain told OutKick in a recent interview.CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGECarson Hocevar, driver of the #77 Zeigler Auto Group Chevrolet, and Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 WABASH Ford, get into an altercation after the NASCAR Cup Series Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on Sept.19, 2026, in Bristol, Tenn.
(Chris Graythen/Getty Images)Chastain referenced the infamous fight between Cale Yarborough and Donnie Allison at the end of the 1979 Daytona 500 as a moment when the sport took off.Chastain said that fight had a lot more "horsepower behind it" than Blaney and Hocevar’s dust-up.The driver of the No.
1 car said NASCAR security decides whether to break up a fight."I was glad to watch it, and I think security did a good job to let it happen, but then, NASCAR security gets to decide what they want to do and they decide to step in when they think it's time," Chastain told OutKick.Chastain said he had no idea what was happening in the moment or whether Blaney had intended to go after Hocevar from the moment the crash happened.THE CRAIG CARTON SHOW–UNFILTERED, UNAPOLOGETIC AND UNMISSABLE.DOWNLOAD HIS DAILY PODCAST NOW!Ross Chastain waves to fans during driver introductions before the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, S.C., on Sept.
6, 2026.(Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)"No, I have no idea.
I don't think Carson had any idea that Ryan would be coming over there like that.I don't even know if Ryan really knew 'cause he had some time to think about it.
He had to go to the care center, do interviews, walk bac...