It was just days back that Dale Earnhardt Jr‘s prodigy and the incoming Cup Series driver Carson Hocevar were felicitated during the 2023 NASCAR Award Ceremony. While Hocevar was awarded the Driver of the Year award, JR Motorsports driver Sammy Smith secured the Rookie of the Year Award. There is no denying the fact that both drivers have showcased immense caliber on NASCAR tracks so far. However, when it comes to the Snowball Derby, both drivers fell short of flaunting their skills. This didn’t end well for both the drivers as a livid racing community lashed out at them for their lapse of judgment.

JR Motorsports driver entangles with the Cup Series prodigy

The 50 laps Last Chance Qualifier race was full of action and even saw two NASCAR prodigies getting eliminated before the main event even started. As fate would have it, the initial schedule of the series had to be altered due to inclement weather, and the opening events that were scheduled for December 2 had to be pushed to a later date. However, thankfully, the Last Chance Qualifier was able to materialize and saw a series of cautions being issued. While the crash of Jake Garcia led to the issuing of the first caution that eventually forced him out of the series, the yellow flag was waved for the second time after Sammy Smith and Carson Hocevar crashed with each other.

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The incident occurred during Lap 21 when Augie Grill made contact with Carson Hocevar. Owing to this, JR Motorsports’ driver, Sammy Smith, tried to jockey past both. However, Smith tangled with Hocevar at the front stretch after hooking with him and finally came to a rest after shoving the incoming Cup Series driver to the outside wall.

As a result, both the drivers were eliminated from the 56th edition of the 300-lap Snowball Derby.

This, however, didn’t go well with fans as they came all guns blaring to criticize the eliminated duo.

Motorsports enthusiasts lash out at Smith and Hocevar after their elimination

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As the two drivers failed to qualify for the main event after being entangled in a wreck fest, motorsports enthusiasts did not shy away from chastising Carson Hocevar, especially owing to his infamous reputation after the Truck Series showdown in Phoenix.

One user commented, “Carson Wreckacar has arrived.”

Another user made sure his sarcasm shined through as he took a dig at the driver and wrote: “HoSeever in a wreck, shocking………”

The common fan opinion adhered to the fact that wrecking on the track is what everyone expects from Hocevar anyway, as one user chipped in writing: “Carson Hocevar things happening to Carson Hocevar.”

Few others also critiqued Sammy Smith: “Does Sammy know the brake pedal is on the left?”

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With that being said, both of the NASCAR’s national-level drivers failed to make a mark in one of the most celebrated Late Model Series as they shot themselves in the foot. However, with the countdown beginning for the NASCAR season, it will be interesting to see what awaits the two young drivers and if they will be able to rise above their setbacks.