Ryan Blaney Confesses He “Regrets” Bristol Brawl with Carson Hocevar

Last Saturday night NASCAR witnessed one of the wildest moments of the 2026 season when Team Penske Racing’s Ryan Blaeny had a fist fight with Carson Hocevar of Spire Motorsports’. A stage three involving the duo ended the Ford drivers’ day early and his attempt to confront the young Chevy driver got out of hand, resulting in a fight.

The No:12 driver talked about the fight in his surprising appearance on Denny Hamlin’s Actions Detrimental podcast. He admitted that he as a bit too aggressive when he pushed the youngster at the start of the confrontation and the Spire driver had all the right to defend himself. Blaney got to good punches to his chin and didn’t really give one back as the NASCAR officials got involved.

But I look at it as, well, if someone comes up to me and then granted, I kind of pushed him at the chest and kind of grabbed him pretty aggressively, then you’re probably going to defend yourself…And he rightfully did. So, first thing I know, he landed a pretty good right hand. So that one got me pretty good…Then by that time, the other Spire guys are kind of closing in too. And so, for the second right, I see the second one coming, and I’m kind of immobilized.

Ryan Blaney said about the fight.

Later in the same conversation, the veteran Ryan Blaney admitted that he regrets being involved in the fight and the emotion has nothing to do with him getting punched. He always tries to set a positive example for the kids and other than his regular radio outbursts, the 2023 champion has been successful till things went south at Bristol.

I try to set a good example for kids who are watching or fans, their parents who are allowing these kids to watch races and root for their driver. And I tried to act a certain way to what a kid would want to look up to. I look back on those things, and I definitely regret the way I acted, you know, that’s really unlike me.

Ryan Blaney added via Actions Detrimental.

Ryan Blaney explains who is to blame for the wreck that led to the fight

Earlier in the same conversation, the veteran explained who is to blame for the wreck that led to the fight. He admitted that it was 50/50 as his decision to protect the bottom led to the incident. If he remained at the top or don’t defend that aggressively, the incident could’ve been avoided.

Looking back on it, I’d say it’s a 50/50. I was wanting to protect the bottom. He was wanting to get to the bottom and was there late by a little bit and neither of us wanted to give. I wanted the bottom, he wanted there and, and I ended up getting turned. So really, I’d put it on both parties. Like, I don’t think he’s 100% to blame. I’m not 100% to blame.

Ryan Blaney said.

It’s not the first times a similar thing has happened at Bristol, and it won’t be the last, as that battle for positions in the bottom lane is a regular factor at the track. The veteran even thinks he deserved to get wrecked for the aggressive defensive move.

I think it was just two guys fighting for the bottom at Bristol. Everyone has their own code, and if it was a case of I protected, and I just got shucked, you know, middle of the corner or as we landed and I’m up a lane, all right, I probably deserve that.

Ryan Blaney added.

The comments from the veteran are on point and shows how the youngster Hocevar deserves less criticism for the fight. While the past history is against the No:77 Chevy driver, he doesn’t deserve majority of the blame for the Bristol drama.

Also Read: “I Wasn’t Going to Take it!” Carson Hocevar Defends Himself After Bristol Brawl with Ryan Blaney