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Richard Petty Defends Carson Hocevar After Bristol Incident

2026-09-24 · Richard Petty · Player Focus

NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty has publicly defended Carson Hocevar following a controversial on-track incident at Bristol Motor Speedway. The seven-time Cup Series champion's intervention comes as he prepares to receive the prestigious North Carolina Award this fall.

Yes, the King came to the rookie's defense. The controversy stemmed from the Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway. With 43 laps remaining, contact between Hocevar's No. 77 car and Ryan Blaney's No. 12 sent Blaney crashing into the wall while they battled for second position.

Petty does not believe Hocevar was at fault for the contact. His support adds significant weight to the debate, given his unparalleled status in the sport. The incident sparked immediate discussion, and Petty's perspective offers a veteran's view on hard racing versus driver error. Other NASCAR legends have also reportedly backed the young driver in the aftermath.

Absolutely. Governor Josh Stein will honor Petty with the North Carolina Award, the state's highest civilian honor, on November 17. The ceremony will be held at the Lenoco Center in Raleigh. At 89 years old, Petty is the headliner among six recipients.

He becomes the first figure from motorsports to ever receive this award. Petty is being recognized in the Public Service category alongside Lt. Gen. Kevin Vereen (Ret.) and Randy Woodson. The other honorees are Jason Mott for Literature, Lindsay Zanno for Science, and Beverly McIver for Fine Arts.

Governor Stein has tied the event to supporting military families. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit two charities: Blue Star Families and Camp Corral. This focus aligns with Stein's August announcement that North Carolina had joined the Do Your Part State initiative.

Blue Star Families is a national nonprofit that helps military families connect with their local communities during service assignments. "North Carolina's military and veterans have dedicated their lives to protecting our safety and freedoms," Stein said, explaining the charitable focus for this year's ceremony.

  • KEY TAKEAWAYS
  • Richard Petty defended Carson Hocevar's role in the Bristol incident with Ryan Blaney.
  • Petty will receive the North Carolina Award, the state's top civilian honor, on November 17.
  • He is the first motorsports figure to win the award, which will support veteran charities.

The North Carolina Award has been given for over six decades. Stein called the 2026 recipients "the best of our state." For Petty, a native of Randleman, North Carolina, the honor caps a legendary career defined by a record 200 Cup Series wins. His voice still carries immense authority in the garage, as shown by his quick defense of a fellow competitor. The upcoming ceremony solidifies his legacy not only in racing, but in his home state's public life.

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