Kyle Larson Brands Carson Hocevar the “Most talented” Youngster in NASCAR

The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series so far has seen Carson Hocevar slowly becoming the superstar he was expected to be. He won his maiden top division race at Talladega Motor Speedway and was consistently in the news with his non-NASCAR ventures, such as the Met-Gala appearance.

Reigning champion Kyle Larson was asked about the Spire Motorsports youngster in his latest appearance on the Door Bumper Clear podcast. Host and ex-Cup team owner Tommy Bladwin ask the HMS driver about his feelings about youngster and how bizarre are his on-track antics are.

The No:5 Hendrick Motorsports driver admitted that the talent of the No:77 Chevy driver is clearly visible when they are racing each other on the track, but Carson Hocevar still has a lot left to grow. Kyle Larson even admitted that the Chevy racer might be the most talented out there.

TB: I mean, even at practice, the guy’s in the fourth ******* groove. I mean, just – Did you – Were you around him? I’m like, what is he doing? Like, he was just unwound all – for two days.

KL: I’m sorry. I mean, you race around him, and you know how much talent he’s got, right? I mean, the kid is good. Maybe the most talented out there.

Kyle Larson responded to Tommy Bladwin on Door Bumper Clear podcast.

Kyle Larson believes Carson Hocevar is no longer being 100% himself now

Later in the same conversation, Baldwin asked about how much Hocevar needs mentorship from one of the senior figures on the track to be the better version of himself. The racer grew up racing without such a figure in his racing life, unlike some of his fellow youngsters.

To that Larson had a good response. He pointed out that there is need for someone that would help the youngster fix some of his issues while not destroying what makes him special. The HMS driver also highlighted how the racer is not being 100% himself and is doing things to get some attention, that goes against his character.

TB: I mean, you watch what he can do in a car, and it’s just, man, do you – you’ve got to surround – do you have someone help him, right? I mean, it’s like, what do you do, right?

KL: I don’t think you have to, like, totally neuter him. I almost feel like he’s at the point now where he’s, like, doing it even – Like, it’s not really him. It’s a piece of him, but he’s, like, going above what he really is. He’s spinning out before the race. Like, that was 1,000 percent just to get on TV.

Kyle Larson responded to Tommy Bladwin.

The comments from the veteran racer are on point and shows how Hocevar needs to go back to being himself, while also working on his mistakes to remain at the top. It would be interesting to see how everything is going to playout for the star driver in the coming days.

Also Read: “They Will Forget About You in Weeks!” Kevin Harvick Sends a Blunt Warning to Carson Hocevar