Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Jokes Hocevar Might Need to Sell His Tank

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. did not mince words when asked about Carson Hocevar's massive $100,000 fine from NASCAR.

"He might have to sell the tank," Stenhouse said, referencing Hocevar's well-known purchase of a military tank.

The comment came during a media availability ahead of the next Cup Series race.

NASCAR levied the penalty after the final lap at Homestead-Miami Speedway on March 23, 2025.

Hocevar spun out both Ryan Preece and Harrison Burton on the last lap of the Straight Talk Wireless 400.

The move sent Burton into the wall and collected Preece in the aftermath.

NASCAR officials ruled the contact was a safety violation and issued the six-figure fine.

The penalty is among the largest ever handed down for on-track conduct in the Cup Series.

Hocevar, 22, drives the No. 77 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports.

He has built a reputation as an aggressive driver in his rookie Cup season.

The tank he bought is a decommissioned military vehicle he acquired earlier this year.

He posted about it on social media, calling it a project and a personal interest.

Stenhouse has his own history with Hocevar on the track.

At Bristol Motor Speedway in September 2024, Hocevar spun Stenhouse during a race.

Stenhouse was visibly frustrated afterward and confronted Hocevar in the garage area.

That incident did not result in a fine from NASCAR.

The Homestead penalty is a different matter entirely.

NASCAR's statement cited Section 4.4 of the Cup Series Rule Book regarding driver conduct.

The rule prohibits actions that endanger other drivers or officials.

Hocevar has not publicly commented on the fine since it was announced.

Spire Motorsports released a brief statement saying they would review the penalty.

The team did not indicate whether they would appeal the decision.

NASCAR has a formal appeal process for fines and penalties.

Teams can request a hearing before a three-person appeals panel.

If the appeal is denied, teams can take it to the Final Appeals Officer.

That officer's decision is binding and cannot be further appealed.

Stenhouse's joke about the tank has resonated with fans on social media.

The comment has been shared widely across NASCAR-focused accounts.

Some fans see it as good-natured ribbing between competitors.

Others view it as a sign of lingering tension between the two drivers.

Stenhouse, 37, drives the No. 47 Chevrolet for JTG Daugherty Racing.

He is a two-time Xfinity Series champion and a two-time Daytona 500 pole winner.

He has not won a Cup Series race since 2023 at Talladega.

Hocevar is in his first full-time Cup Series season after running part-time in 2024.

He finished 12th in points last year despite missing several races.

This season, he sits 18th in the standings after six races.

The $100,000 fine is a significant financial hit for a driver on a smaller team.

Spire Motorsports is not among the sport's powerhouse organizations.

The team fields three full-time Cup entries but operates on a smaller budget than Hendrick Motorsports or Joe Gibbs Racing.

A fine of this size represents a meaningful portion of a rookie driver's race earnings.

Cup Series drivers earn a base salary plus performance bonuses and prize money.

Rookies typically earn less than established stars.

The fine also carries a deduction of 50 driver points and 50 owner points.

That point deduction could affect Hocevar's chances of making the playoffs.

The NASCAR Cup Series playoffs begin after the regular season ends in September.

Only the top 16 drivers in points qualify.

Hocevar currently sits 18th, 54 points behind the cutoff.

The point penalty makes his path to the postseason even steeper.

Stenhouse's comment about selling the tank is a reference to Hocevar's public persona.

Hocevar has embraced a blue-collar, hard-driving image since entering the sport.

The tank purchase was widely covered in NASCAR media outlets.

Hocevar posted a video of himself driving the tank on his property.

The video received millions of views across social media platforms.

Fans have nicknamed him "Tank" in some online forums.

The fine has sparked debate among NASCAR fans and analysts.

Some argue that the penalty is too harsh for a racing incident.

Others say NASCAR needed to send a message about safety after several high-profile crashes.

NASCAR has increased penalties for dangerous driving in recent seasons.

In 2023, Bubba Wallace was suspended for one race after intentionally spinning Kyle Larson.

In 2024, Chase Elliott was fined $50,000 for intentionally wrecking Denny Hamlin.

The Hocevar fine is double that amount.

NASCAR president Steve Phelps said the penalty reflects the severity of the incident.

"We have to prioritize safety above all else," Phelps told reporters.

"What happened at Homestead crossed a line."

The Homestead race was the sixth event of the 2025 Cup Series season.

It was won by Kyle Larson, who led 127 of the 267 laps.

Hocevar finished 24th after the penalty was applied to his race results.

The incident occurred on the final lap as drivers fought for position.

Hocevar was running 15th when he made contact with Preece's car.

The contact sent Preece spinning into the path of Burton.

Burton's car hit the outside wall hard but he was not injured.

Preece's car sustained significant damage but he continued to the finish line.

Both drivers expressed frustration after the race.

Burton called the move "unnecessary and dangerous" in a post-race interview.

Preece said Hocevar "needs to learn respect" for other drivers.

Neither driver has commented on the fine directly.

Stenhouse's reaction adds another layer to the story.

As a veteran driver, his opinion carries weight in the garage area.