During the recent Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, veteran driver Denny Hamlin took aim at rookie Carson Hocevar after the latter flashed a middle‑finger gesture toward the crowd during the final laps.
Hamlin, who co‑owns 23XI Racing, the team that fields Corey Heim’s No. 67 Toyota, suggested that Hocevar’s gesture was less about competition and more about courting attention.
A gesture that sparked tension
The incident added another layer to an already simmering rivalry between Hocevar and Heim, who have been trading barbs since their days in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
Heim captured the checkered flag, finishing fifth after a late restart cost him ground, while Hocevar ended ninth, prompting a sarcastic response when asked about the gesture.
The tension dates back to a previous on‑track incident at Naval Base Coronado, where Heim spun Hocevar, and even led Hocevar to request Heim’s phone number after that race.
With Heim set to become a full‑time Cup Series driver next season, the feud is likely to continue shaping storylines for both drivers and the 23XI Racing program.
The Brickyard 400 also underscored the growing partnership between 23XI Racing and Spire Motorsports, the organization that fields Hocevar’s ride, highlighting how team dynamics can amplify driver rivalries.