{"id":904910,"date":"2026-09-22T04:14:14","date_gmt":"2026-09-22T04:14:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/904910\/"},"modified":"2026-09-22T04:14:14","modified_gmt":"2026-09-22T04:14:14","slug":"nascar-wont-penalize-ryan-blaney-or-carson-hocevar-for-bristol-fight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/904910\/","title":{"rendered":"NASCAR Won\u2019t Penalize Ryan Blaney or Carson Hocevar for Bristol Fight"},"content":{"rendered":"

Drivers Ryan Blaney and Carson Hocevar will not be penalized for the post-race fight that followed Saturday night\u2019s Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway, NASCAR said Monday.<\/p>\n

Monday\u2019s news came from a pair of podcasts, NASCAR CEO Steve O\u2019Donnell announcing on Kevin Harvick\u2019s show that the drivers will avoid penalties, and Blaney saying on Denny Hamlin\u2019s podcast that \u201cI went over there and got my ass kicked, for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hocevar and Blaney tangled on pit road after their cars were involved in a late-race crash at Bristol. Blaney charged Hocevar as Hocevar stood beside his car on pit road, pushing and grabbing him. Hocevar responded with a hard right to Blaney\u2019s face, and the fight continued as NASCAR officials and crew members from both teams moved in.<\/p>\n

Although the drivers won\u2019t be penalized, NASCAR continues to investigate the incident and hasn\u2019t ruled out penalties for crew members.<\/p>\n

\u201cDrivers need to handle their business outside the car,\u201d O\u2019Donnell said. \u201cWe don\u2019t want crew members jumping in. Drivers are going to handle their own business. We\u2019re not going to encourage fighting, but we are going to encourage passion.\u201d<\/p>\n

On Hamlin\u2019s podcast, Blaney apologized in general for his post-race actions.<\/p>\n

\u201cI try to act a certain way to what a kid would want to look up to, and I look back on those things, and I definitely regret the way I acted,\u201d he said. \u201cThat\u2019s really unlike me, but I was just frustrated, and you just do these things.\u201d<\/p>\n

Blaney said he approached Hocevar planning on having a \u201cstern conversation. I wasn\u2019t planning on throwing any. I just really wanted to grab him and pretty much yell at him and show my displeasure.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"NASCARChris Graythen\/\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

Ryan Blaney says he shares the blame for the incident.<\/p>\n

Blaney said both he and Hocevar can be blamed for the on-track incident, a view shared by some.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think he\u2019s 100 percent to blame,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m not 100 percent to blame. I think it was two guys fighting for the bottom (of the track) at Bristol.\u201d<\/p>\n

After smoke cleared from the fight, Hocevar said, \u201cI understand why he\u2019s (Blaney) upset. That\u2019s probably his championship. So I understand 100 percent. And I\u2019d probably be mad at me, too. Whether it was his mistake, my mistake, my fault or not, I\u2019d be pretty pissed if I was him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Blaney said he doesn\u2019t plan to talk to Hocevar this week about the fight.<\/p>\n

The Chase moves on to Kansas Speedway this weekend, and repercussions from Saturday night are certain to be a topic in and around the Cup garage.<\/p>\n

BASS PRO SHOPS NIGHT RACE\u2014RACE RESULTS
Bristol Motor Speedway\u2014Bristol, Tennessee, September 19, 2026<\/p>\n

Pos\/Driver\/Team\/Laps(Status)\/Pts<\/p>\n

1. Joey Logano (C), Shell Pennzoil Ford, Running (500 laps), 73<\/p>\n

2. Kyle Larson (C), HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, Running (500 laps), 47<\/p>\n

3. Carson Hocevar (C), Zeigler Auto Group Chevrolet, Running (500 laps), 41<\/p>\n

4. Christopher Bell (C), DeWalt Toyota, Running (500 laps), 39<\/p>\n

5. Ty Gibbs (C), M&M’s Kyle Busch Tribute Toyota, Running (500 laps), 47<\/p>\n

6. Josh Berry, WURTH Ford, Running (500 laps), 38<\/p>\n

7. Bubba Wallace (C), OUTLAW LIGHT Toyota, Running (500 laps), 36<\/p>\n

8. Denny Hamlin (C), National Debt Relief Toyota, Running (500 laps), 37<\/p>\n

9. William Byron (C), Raptor Chevrolet, Running (500 laps), 31<\/p>\n

10. Ryan Preece (C), Body Guard by Fastenal Ford, Running (500 laps), 27<\/p>\n

11. Austin Cindric (C), Menards\/Richmond Water Heaters Ford, Running (500 laps), 30<\/p>\n

12. Ross Chastain, Moose Fraternity Chevrolet, Running (500 laps), 32<\/p>\n

13. Chris Buescher (C), Kroger\/Kool-Aid\/Little Bites Ford, Running (499 laps), 25<\/p>\n

14. Daniel Suarez (C), Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation Chevrolet, Running (498 laps), 23<\/p>\n

15. Brad Keselowski, BuildSubmarines.com Ford, Running (498 laps), 24<\/p>\n

16. Noah Gragson, Rush Truck Centers\/Cummins Ford, Running (498 laps), 21<\/p>\n

17. Austin Dillon, Bass Pro Shops\/Winchester Patriotic Chevrolet, Running (498 laps), 20<\/p>\n

18. Tyler Reddick (C), SiriusXM Toyota, Running (497 laps), 19<\/p>\n

19. Todd Gilliland, Love’s Travel Stops Ford, Running (497 laps), 18<\/p>\n

20. Shane Van Gisbergen, SuperFile Chevrolet, Running (497 laps), 17<\/p>\n

21. Michael McDowell, RCA Chevrolet, Running (497 laps), 16<\/p>\n

22. AJ Allmendinger, Suburban Propane Chevrolet, Running (497 laps), 15<\/p>\n

23. Chase Elliott (C), NAPA Gold Filters Chevrolet, Running (497 laps), 14<\/p>\n

24. Connor Zilisch, Red Bull Chevrolet, Running (496 laps), 13<\/p>\n

25. John Hunter Nemechek, Pye-Barker Fire & Safety Toyota, Running (495 laps), 12<\/p>\n

26. Cole Custer, Texas A&M University Chevrolet, Running (495 laps), 11<\/p>\n

27. Chase Briscoe (C), Bass Pro Shops Toyota, Suspension (494 laps), 10<\/p>\n

28. Zane Smith, Aaron’s Rent To Own Ford, Running (494 laps), 9<\/p>\n

29. Austin Hill (i), Rebel Bourbon Chevrolet, Running (494 laps), 0<\/p>\n

30. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Chef Boyardee Chevrolet, Running (490 laps), 7<\/p>\n

31. Cody Ware, Rocket Doctor Chevrolet, Running (489 laps), 6<\/p>\n

32. Erik Jones, Dollar Tree Toyota, Running (483 laps), 5<\/p>\n

33. Ryan Blaney (C), WABASH Ford, Accident (457 laps), 19<\/p>\n

34. Riley Herbst, Monster Energy Toyota, Suspension (432 laps), 3<\/p>\n

35. Alex Bowman, Ally Chevrolet, Accident (428 laps), 2<\/p>\n

36. Ty Dillon, Grizzly Nicotine Pouches Chevrolet, Running (402 laps), 1<\/p>\n

37. Josh Bilicki (i), Flair Spirits Ford, Suspension (338 laps), 0<\/p>\n

Fastest Lap: Kyle Larson (No. 5 Chevrolet) \u2014 Lap 8, 15.337 seconds.<\/p>\n

Time of Race: 3 hours, 2 minutes, 20 seconds<\/p>\n

Average Speed: 87.697 mph<\/p>\n

Margin of Victory: 1.248 seconds<\/p>\n

Stage 1 Top 10: Joey Logano, Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, Ross Chastain, Ty Gibbs, Ryan Blaney, Austin Cindric, Carson Hocevar, Brad Keselowski, Bubba Wallace.<\/p>\n

Stage 2 Top 10: Ryan Blaney, Ty Gibbs, Joey Logano, Josh Berry, Christopher Bell, Bubba Wallace, Carson Hocevar, William Byron, Kyle Larson, Chris Buescher.<\/p>\n

Race Winner: Joey Logano, No. 22 Shell Pennzoil Ford. Logano won the Bass Pro Shops Night Race for his 40th NASCAR Cup Series victory.<\/p>\n

Race Notes: This was Logano’s third victory and 12th top-10 finish of 2026, and his third victory and 13th top-10 finish in 33 races at Bristol Motor Speedway. Kyle Larson finished second for his 16th top-10 finish of 2026 and 15th top-10 at Bristol. Carson Hocevar finished third for his third top-10 at Bristol. Connor Zilisch was the highest-finishing rookie in 24th. Kyle Larson leads the point standings by one point over Denny Hamlin.<\/p>\n

Caution Flags: 10 cautions for 78 laps.<\/p>\n

Lead Changes: 13 among six drivers.<\/p>\n

Next Race: September 27, 2026\u2014Kansas Speedway.<\/p>\n

NASCAR CUP SERIES DRIVER STANDINGS
<\/p>\n

After the Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway
<\/p>\n

Pos\/Driver\/Points
<\/p>\n

1. Kyle Larson (C), 2206
<\/p>\n

2. Denny Hamlin (C), 2205
<\/p>\n

3. Joey Logano (C), 2190
<\/p>\n

4. Christopher Bell (C), 2189
<\/p>\n

5. Ty Gibbs (C), 2164
<\/p>\n

6. Ryan Blaney (C), 2154
<\/p>\n

7. Tyler Reddick (C), 2145
<\/p>\n

8. Carson Hocevar (C), 2121
<\/p>\n

9. Chase Briscoe (C), 2119
<\/p>\n

10. Bubba Wallace (C), 2114
<\/p>\n

11. Austin Cindric (C), 2090
<\/p>\n

12. Chase Elliott (C), 2089
<\/p>\n

13. William Byron (C), 2085
<\/p>\n

14. Ryan Preece (C), 2082
<\/p>\n

15. Chris Buescher (C), 2082
<\/p>\n

16. Daniel Suarez (C), 2072
<\/p>\n

17. Shane Van Gisbergen, 647
<\/p>\n

18. Brad Keselowski, 615
<\/p>\n

19. Ross Chastain, 592
<\/p>\n

20. Michael McDowell, 570
<\/p>\n

21. Erik Jones, 549
<\/p>\n

22. Todd Gilliland, 520
<\/p>\n

23. AJ Allmendinger, 514
<\/p>\n

24. Josh Berry, 501
<\/p>\n

25. Austin Dillon, 494
<\/p>\n

26. Zane Smith, 477
<\/p>\n

27. John Hunter Nemechek, 465
<\/p>\n

28. Alex Bowman, 456
<\/p>\n

29. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 450
<\/p>\n

30. Riley Herbst, 415
<\/p>\n

31. Noah Gragson, 376
<\/p>\n

32. Cole Custer, 370
<\/p>\n

33. Ty Dillon, 324
<\/p>\n

34. Connor Zilisch, 317
<\/p>\n

35. Cody Ware, 223
<\/p>\n

36. Casey Mears, 13
<\/p>\n

37. Kevin Magnussen, 11
<\/p>\n

38. Jimmie Johnson, 9
<\/p>\n

39. Katherine Legge, 8
<\/p>\n

40. BJ McLeod, 4
<\/p>\n

41. Corey Heim (i), 0
<\/p>\n

42. Harrison Burton (i), 0
<\/p>\n

43. Austin Hill (i), 0
<\/p>\n

44. JJ Yeley (i), 0
<\/p>\n

45. Justin Allgaier (i), 0
<\/p>\n

46. Daniel Dye (i), 0
<\/p>\n

47. Jesse Love (i), 0
<\/p>\n

48. Chad Finchum (i), 0
<\/p>\n

49. Joey Gase (i), 0
<\/p>\n

50. Anthony Alfredo (i), 0
<\/p>\n

51. Josh Bilicki (i), 0
<\/p>\n

52. Timmy Hill (i), 0
<\/p>\n

53. Gray Gaulding (i), 0
<\/p>\n

54. Corey LaJoie (i), 0
<\/p>\n

55. Chandler Smith (i), 0
<\/p>\n

Points Leader: Kyle Larson leads the NASCAR Cup Series standings with 2,206 points, one point ahead of Denny Hamlin.<\/p>\n

\"Lettermark\"<\/p>\n

Mike Hembree has covered auto racing for numerous media outlets, including USA Today, NASCAR Scene, NBC Sports, The Greenville News and the SPEED Channel. He has been roaming garage areas and pit roads for decades (although the persistent rumor that he covered the first Indianapolis 500 is not true). Winner of numerous motorsports and other media awards, he also has covered virtually every other major sport. He lives near Gaffney, South Carolina and can be convinced to attend Bruce Springsteen concerts if you have tickets.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Drivers Ryan Blaney and Carson Hocevar will not be penalized for the post-race fight that followed Saturday night\u2019s…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":904911,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[446],"tags":[49,48,782,312884,784,237154,1642,634,312883,273948,82,183339],"class_list":["post-904910","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nascar","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-content-type-news","tag-contentid-67a40e8e-28b4-48c6-9300-f13c53e95e2e","tag-displaytype-standard-article","tag-issyndicated-false","tag-locale-us","tag-nascar","tag-shorttitle-nascar-wont-penalize-blaney-or-hocevar-for-fight","tag-sponsored-false","tag-sports","tag-subsection-nascar"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/904910","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=904910"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/904910\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/904911"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=904910"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=904910"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=904910"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}