Why Carson Hocevar's Celebration Makes Him Cry
About this episode
The conversation moves from RCR’s Kyle Busch struggles and a crew-chief shakeup into a broader look at NASCAR’s identity, driver athleticism, and how the sport should evolve. It also gets playful with a moon-phase joke about Texas grip before landing on a deeply personal win story: a driver says rewatching the moment still makes him cry, and explains how a memorable celebration was meant to connect with fans and mark a breakthrough.
Fridays are our favorite days of the week around here — what's yours? Well, if you listen to Dirty Thirty, you might be right there with us. In just 30 minutes, we take you through a journey of topics that have the Dirty Mo Media world buzzing.
Our first stop comes in at Dale Jr. Download station, where Dale dives into the happening over at Richard Childress Racing and the news that Jim Pohlman is OUT as Kyle Busch's crew chief (although he technically got promoted...)
Next up, we travel to the moon and back — sort of. Noah Gragson and Chase Briscoe joined Door Bumper Clear and had a riot of a time. But the train really went off the rails when they got into this weekend's waxing crescent moon and how it *allegedly* affects the grip of the racetrack. We end up with Noah calling Josh Berry, Riley Herbst, & Austin Dillon to confirm the conspiracy.
Dale interrupts the show to tell you about FAN DAY on May 21st at JR Motorsports!
Back to the action of the show, Denny Hamlin chimes in on the debate stirred up by Stephen A. Smith, which entailed whether or not NASCAR drivers are considered athletes.
All the way back at the very beginning of the week, The Teardown hosted NASCAR's newest CEO, Steve O'Donnell, to talk about the future of the sport and what he plans to do with feedback.
Our closer is a popular man this week — Carson Hocevar stopped into the Arby's studio to discuss his first-ever Cup Series win, his all-time celebration, and the motion that comes with watching it back.
It's another packed episode! Don't forget to buy our merch at shop.dirtymomedia.com to rep our gear.
Check out Dirty Mo Media on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DirtyMoMedia
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
mid-season change
"I've been in this situation, man. When you make a change mid-season, it is really hard to find positivity and try to figure out like how to be hopeful that things are going to improve."
Sometimes teams make big changes while the season is still going. That can be hard because everyone has to adjust quickly—new communication, new plans, and different car setups.
A mid-season change is when a team alters key personnel or strategy during the racing season rather than waiting for the next year. In NASCAR, this often means swapping a driver and/or crew chief, which can disrupt communication and setup development.
Junior Motorsports
"Jim was, you know, I think Jim here at Junior Motorsports, he had kind of gotten to the end of the runway. He was like, you know, I've kind of, I need a new challenge."
Junior Motorsports is a NASCAR racing team. Here, they’re talking about the team Jim was working for and the changes he wanted to make there.
Junior Motorsports is a NASCAR team organization associated with Dale Earnhardt Jr. In this segment, it’s discussed as the team where Jim was working and where operational improvements were being considered.
Mike Dillon
"Mike Dillon called me. He's like, hey, can we talk to Jim? We're really looking for somebody to crew chief Kyle's car next year and we'd love to have Jim back."
Mike Dillon is the person who reaches out to Jim about a job opportunity. In racing, crew chiefs are key because they help manage the car setup and strategy.
Mike Dillon is referenced as the person contacting Jim about a crew chief opportunity. In NASCAR, crew chief decisions are closely tied to team leadership and car development plans for the next season.
crew chief
"We're really looking for somebody to crew chief Kyle's car next year and we'd love to have Jim back. Jim used to work at RCR years ago."
The crew chief is the main person calling the shots for how the car is set up and how the team plans the race. If a crew chief changes, the driver and crew often have to adjust quickly.
A crew chief is the team’s lead strategist for a race car, responsible for coordinating setup decisions, pit strategy, and communication with the driver. In NASCAR, changing crew chiefs mid-season can significantly affect performance because the team’s approach to the car evolves.
operations
"Jim was like, if I'm staying with Junior Motorsports, I've got a long list of things that I'd like to see change or improve or operations, just on-floor operations, things that he thought could run smoother, better, make his job easier."
Here, “operations” means how the racing team runs its day-to-day work. It’s about making the team’s process smoother so the car and decisions are handled more efficiently.
In a racing context, “operations” refers to how the team runs day-to-day—workflows, communication, and processes that affect how quickly the car can be prepared and adjusted. The speaker mentions “on-floor operations,” implying improvements to the team’s execution rather than just car hardware.
running up front
"you know, I think he should be running up front... I need to be winning races, right? So he's feeling... urgent to get back to, you know, running up front."
“Running up front” just means being near the front of the race instead of stuck mid-pack. The hosts are talking about how Kyle needs to get back to that position.
“Running up front” is racing slang for being near the lead during a race. In NASCAR, it usually implies strong qualifying, good race pace, and fewer issues so the car stays competitive for wins.
RCR
"yeah, I'm going to, if I'm RCR and I'm Richard Childress, I'm going to be trying to get Kyle running better... Does RCR want him back next year?"
RCR is a NASCAR racing team run by Richard Childress. In this segment, they’re discussing what the team expects from its drivers and whether they’d keep or replace someone.
RCR refers to Richard Childress Racing, a NASCAR team. The hosts are talking about team decisions—how the team might try to improve Kyle’s results and whether they’d want him back.
Richard Childress
"...if I'm RCR and I'm Richard Childress, I'm going to be trying to get Kyle running better... Does RCR want him back next year?"
Richard Childress is tied to a NASCAR team called RCR. The hosts are imagining what he’d do to help a driver improve and decide whether to keep him.
Richard Childress is the owner/figurehead associated with Richard Childress Racing (RCR). The transcript frames him as making strategic decisions about driver performance and retention.
timing
"What they're, what they're paying for the results that they're getting. Timing, is that on? That ain't on Kyle."
Here, “timing” doesn’t mean engine timing. It’s more like whether the driver’s results are coming at the right time for what the team is paying and expecting.
In this context, “timing” is shorthand for how a team’s results line up with expectations—when performance shows up relative to what the team is paying for. It’s not about engine timing; it’s about whether the driver’s results are arriving when the team needs them.
cup races
"Jesse Love will win cup races. He will battle for cup championships. He has that ability..."
“Cup races” means the top NASCAR races—the highest series. They’re saying Jesse Love could win those big races and fight for the overall championship.
“Cup races” refers to NASCAR Cup Series events, the top level of NASCAR racing. The hosts are saying Jesse Love has the talent to win at that highest level and contend for championships.
cup championships
"Jesse Love will win cup races. He will battle for cup championships... but is he Kyle Busch today?"
“Cup championships” is the overall season championship in NASCAR’s top series. The hosts are comparing whether Jesse Love can reach that same level as Kyle Busch.
“Cup championships” means winning the NASCAR Cup Series season title. The transcript contrasts a driver’s ability to contend for that championship versus whether he’s “Kyle Busch today” in terms of current performance.
Fandy
"You want to tell them about Fandy? Oh, yeah. Um, on the 21st of May at Junior Motorsports, Fandy happens, which is always around Charlotte weekend."
“Fandy” is a fan event during the Charlotte race weekend. It includes live shows and time to meet and interact with the hosts.
“Fandy” is an event Dale Jr. Download is promoting, tied to the Charlotte weekend. The hosts describe live shows, on-site interaction, and multiple time slots.
Series XM on track
"We're going to have live shows. So, um, at nine o'clock in the morning till 11 a.m. Series XM on track with Daniel Trada and Larry McReynolds will happen here as well."
They’re talking about a live SiriusXM show that will be happening on-site. It’s scheduled with specific hosts during the event.
This refers to a live show segment broadcast/produced in partnership with SiriusXM, featuring hosts Daniel Trada and Larry McReynolds. It’s presented as part of the event schedule.
dirty mo live
"After that at 11 o'clock to 12, we'll do a dirty mo live with Mike Davis and Kenny Wallace and friends from 12 to one."
“Dirty Mo Live” is a live segment they’re doing during the event. It has its own time slot and guest hosts.
“Dirty Mo Live” is one of the live show blocks in the event lineup, hosted by Mike Davis and Kenny Wallace. It’s mentioned as part of the schedule around midday.
Cabota Orange days
"We'll have some fun. Cabota Orange days is here, which means so are the best deals of the year on compact tractors."
This is a promotion name for a dealer event. They’re saying it’s a good time to buy compact tractors with strong discounts.
This appears to be a promotional event name tied to a brand of equipment dealers. The segment connects it to “the best deals of the year” on compact tractors.
gripped up
"Hey speaking of Texas this weekend waxing crescent so be ready. Oh it's gonna be gripped up... Dude it's gonna be so gripped up."
They mean the track should have better traction, so cars can stick better in turns. It’s basically “more grip” for racing.
“Gripped up” is slang for higher traction—when tires have more grip and the car feels planted. In racing talk, it usually implies better handling and faster cornering.
waxing crescent moon
"Hey speaking of Texas this weekend waxing crescent so be ready. Oh it's gonna be gripped up."
They’re talking about a moon phase—when the moon is just starting to get bigger in the sky. They’re joking that it might affect how intense the racing week will be.
The hosts are referencing the “waxing crescent moon,” a specific phase of the moon used in casual prediction talk. In this context it’s being treated like a forecast for how the Texas race weekend will feel.
Texas
"Dang. I don't know what you're talking about... Waxing crescent moon... Gravitational pool will be different this week at Texas."
“Texas” refers to a race weekend at a Texas track, which the hosts expect to be especially intense. The segment uses it as the setting for the grip/traction discussion.
door bumper clear
"Hey I'm on I'm on I'm on door bumper clear right now with briscoe and we're explaining how it's"
It’s a quick safety call used in racing to say, “I’m clear of you—no contact risk at the front/side.”
“Door bumper clear” is racing/stock-car radio slang meaning the driver is clear of the other car’s door and bumper area—typically used to confirm safe passing or positioning. It’s a communication phrase rather than a technical car component.
grit
"What what does that mean? Just that the tracks got a lot of grit. See everyone knows about it... Yeah it's going to be a waxing crescent this weekend. We're going to be like so wide open..."
“Grit” here means stuff on the track surface that changes how the tires grip the road. More grip usually means the car can stick better in turns.
In racing talk, “grit” refers to loose material on the track surface (like rubber, dust, or debris) that can affect traction. Depending on how it’s described, it can either reduce grip early or, once worked in, contribute to a more consistent surface.
qualifying
"Yeah it's going to be a waxing crescent this weekend. We're going to be like so wide open and three and four. Qualifying one and two because no it's waxing this week..."
Qualifying is when drivers try to set the best lap time before the race. Your qualifying result helps decide where you start the race.
Qualifying is the session where drivers set their fastest lap times to determine starting positions for the race. When they say “qualifying one and two” or “qualifying all the way around,” they’re talking about the format/schedule of those timed runs.
wide open
"Yeah it's going to be a waxing crescent this weekend. We're going to be like so wide open and three and four... We might be wide open and qualifying."
“Wide open” means the driver is using basically full power. They’re saying the track should be grippy enough to go full-throttle more often.
“Wide open” means running at maximum throttle/maximum available speed on straights or in certain segments. In this context, it’s tied to the expectation of high grip, so drivers can stay pinned and still maintain control.
weather report
"Yeah it's probably 100 guys with a weather report. It's on the weather report. The analytics meeting is tomorrow..."
Teams get a weather update because it can change how the track feels. That can affect how well the tires grip and how fast the cars can go.
A “weather report” in racing is the team’s briefing on conditions that can change track grip—like temperature, humidity, wind, and precipitation. Those factors can strongly affect tire performance and lap times.
analytics meeting
"It's on the weather report. The analytics meeting is tomorrow. 2311 doesn't do the weather report."
That’s a team meeting to look at numbers and data. They use it to decide how to set up the car and what to expect on track.
An “analytics meeting” refers to a team session where they review data trends—often including practice/qualifying data, tire behavior, and track condition forecasts—to plan strategy. In racing, this can influence setup choices and driving approach.
What moon phases do to the track
"The waxing crescent moon phase. What does that do to the track?... To the tires?"
They talk about a theory that the moon phase might affect how the track and tires behave. It’s more of a superstition/speculation than a normal racing science topic.
The hosts discuss whether the “waxing crescent” moon phase could influence track conditions and tire performance. It’s framed as a superstition or theory rather than a technical racing explanation.
NASCAR drivers as athletes
"All right now skier drivers, athletes... Under that definition I say yes. NASCAR drivers are athletes. I have seen"
They debate whether NASCAR drivers count as athletes. The conversation is mostly about what “athlete” means, not about car mechanics.
The segment shifts to a discussion about whether NASCAR drivers qualify as “athletes,” including a definition of what an athlete is. It’s a definitional debate rather than a technical motorsport topic.
Talladega
"...You would never be able to go sit in that car this weekend in Talladega that is the least physically demanding racetrack we go to by by quite a ways."
Talladega is a famous NASCAR race track. Because of how the track is built, the cars and drivers deal with very high-speed, high-load driving for long stretches.
Talladega refers to Talladega Superspeedway, a NASCAR track known for high speeds and pack racing. The track’s layout and banking influence how physically demanding the driving is, including steering effort and sustained cornering loads.
g force
"...not be able to sit in that car and do what we do. Turn that wheel, sit in that heat, maintain the g force. You just your bodies are not trained to do that."
“G force” is how hard the car is accelerating compared to normal gravity. In a race, turning and braking can push your body so hard that it’s tiring just to stay steady and keep controlling the car.
“G force” is the acceleration felt by your body, expressed in multiples of Earth’s gravity (1g). In racing, high g forces happen during hard cornering and braking, and they can make it physically demanding to hold position and control the car.
high speed engineering
"...They just compete in a different kind of sport where physical endurance, precision and mental toughness are combined with high speed engineering."
“High speed engineering” means the car is designed and tuned to stay stable and controllable when it’s going extremely fast. It’s not just the driver—there’s a lot of technical work that helps the car handle well at race speeds.
“High speed engineering” refers to the technical design work that helps a race car remain stable, controllable, and safe at very high velocities. In NASCAR, that includes aerodynamics, chassis setup, and other systems that manage how the car behaves when pushed hard.
Hell Yeah campaign
"And I think the Hell Yeah campaign was kind of be proud of who we are. And, you know, we'll bring people in because they want to be part of that."
The “Hell Yeah” campaign sounds like a promotional push to build excitement and pride around the NASCAR brand. The idea is to bring in fans who connect with that message.
The “Hell Yeah” campaign is presented as a marketing/branding effort tied to NASCAR identity. The speaker frames it as a way to build pride and attract fans who want to be part of that culture.
90-day agenda
"New CEOs come in, they usually have like a 90-day, you know, agenda, right?"
A “90-day agenda” is a short-term plan new leaders often set when they start a job, typically covering priorities for the first three months. Here it’s used as a framework for what NASCAR leadership would focus on after taking over.
listening tour
"...when I say going on a listening tour, I mean that. And it is going to a room, going to a red Kendrick, going to a driver, going to fans..."
A listening tour is when leaders go meet people and ask for their opinions. The goal is to hear what different groups think before changing anything.
A “listening tour” is when leaders meet with stakeholders to gather feedback before making decisions. In this context, it means talking to teams, drivers, fans, and others to understand what people want from NASCAR.
long cautions
"...from, you know, long cautions. I get it. We got to go."
A caution is when the race slows down because of something on track. If the caution lasts a long time, the race feels like it’s paused for longer than fans want.
In NASCAR, a caution period is when race cars slow down due to an incident, and “long cautions” means those slowdowns last longer than usual. The segment suggests NASCAR is thinking about how to reduce or manage caution timing to improve the viewing experience.
IndyCar
"we were chasing IndyCar. And then we grew and grew and it was awesome."
They mention IndyCar, another major type of race series. They’re using it to explain their career path and how things changed over time.
The speaker references IndyCar as a racing series they were “chasing” early in their career. It’s used as context for how NASCAR fits into their broader motorsports experience.
Daytona
"seeing, you know, Marshall Lynch was here, right? And he's like, oh my God, the guy went to Daytona and said, I want to celebrate my 40th birthday at Talladegg and loved it stayed the whole time."
They’re talking about Daytona as a famous racing destination. The point is the excitement and reaction from going to a big event.
Daytona is referenced as a place where a driver went to celebrate and experience NASCAR. In motorsports context, Daytona is strongly associated with major high-profile racing events.
Talladegg
"...I want to celebrate my 40th birthday at Talladegg and loved it stayed the whole time. So, I mean, seeing new people and seeing the reaction to the sport is what I love."
They’re referencing Talladega as a major NASCAR track. The story is about how people react when they get to experience the racing atmosphere there.
Talladega (spelled “Talladegg” in the transcript) is referenced as the track where the celebration happened. It’s a well-known NASCAR venue, used here to illustrate fan and driver reactions to big events.
2014 Daytona 500
"“Did you ever win like that? I kind of feel like 2014 Daytona 500 for me was like that. No, I mean, my first couple win at Texas was like, that one there is one of my favorites…”"
The Daytona 500 is a famous NASCAR race at Daytona. Mentioning “2014” means they’re talking about that specific year’s race, not just the event in general.
The Daytona 500 is NASCAR’s marquee race held at Daytona International Speedway. Saying “2014 Daytona 500” anchors the story to a specific year and event, which matters because race conditions and the competitive field change year to year.
playoff
"You locked into the playoff. Put him on the Wheaties box. He did it. It was like a all right, man."
The “playoff” is NASCAR’s postseason. It’s a special set of races where drivers can get eliminated, and only the best keep going until the championship is decided.
In NASCAR, the “playoff” refers to the postseason format that determines the championship. Drivers earn points during the regular season, then compete in elimination-style rounds where finishing well keeps you alive to race for the title.
Jeep Wrangler
"... a three car when I won the Bush race at Daytona Wrangler car, right? Yeah. Yeah. I don't know why, but I ..."
The Jeep Wrangler is an SUV made for driving on rough roads and off-road trails. It’s designed to be tough and capable when the terrain gets difficult. In the podcast, it’s referenced as part of a racing-related story.
The Jeep Wrangler is a rugged, off-road-focused SUV known for its ability to handle rough terrain and its simple, durable design. It often comes up in conversations about motorsports and racing because it represents a popular “go anywhere” vehicle category. In this podcast context, it’s mentioned as part of a personal story tied to winning a race.
burnouts
"I don't know why, but I got sour on burnouts. Like I did a lot of burnouts, and then guys started doing burnouts to damage their car."
A burnout is when the driver spins the tires to make smoke. It looks cool, but it can also wear things out or even damage the car if you do it too much.
A burnout is when a driver spins the tires while the car is stationary or moving very slowly to heat up the rubber and create visible tire smoke. In racing culture, it can be a showy celebration, but it also increases wear and can stress components.
quarter panels
"Yeah. Yeah, try to blow the quarter panels off. Right."
Quarter panels are parts of the car’s body on the back sides. If someone’s doing burnouts or getting too aggressive, they can end up damaging those panels.
Quarter panels are the body panels on the rear sides of a car, covering the area from the rear wheel back toward the trunk/taillight area. In NASCAR, damaging quarter panels can happen when cars scrape or get hit during aggressive celebration maneuvers like burnouts.
in-car camera
"I was like, man, I wanted to make, I feel like they were going to get the loudest if they could know I'm there. And I was like, I know I don't have an in-car camera. Yeah. Let's get show up on the gym."
An in-car camera is a small camera inside the race car. It records what the driver sees while driving, which helps with replay and videos after the race.
An in-car camera is a camera mounted inside the race car that records the driver’s perspective during a run. It’s commonly used for broadcast content and for drivers to review what happened from their viewpoint.
post race celebrations
"No, I thought your, your dude, your celebration was great. I loved, you know, watching other drivers respond to it. You know, you got a lot of people... commenting on your post... saying it was one of the best post race, you know, celebrations..."
Post-race celebrations are the things drivers do right after they finish. They’re often meant to be seen by fans and cameras, so they can become a big moment.
Post-race celebrations are what drivers do immediately after finishing a race—often involving gestures, driving maneuvers, or staged moments for cameras. In motorsports, these can become memorable because fans and other drivers react to them.
Request an Explanation
Heard something you'd like explained? We'll add it to this episode.
Sign in to request explanations for terms you heard.
Want to learn more?
Browse our glossary for plain-English explanations of automotive terms, jargon, and concepts.
Help improve this episode
See something that's not quite right? Our annotations are AI-generated and can sometimes miss the mark. Click the flag icon on any annotation to suggest a correction.