NASCAR’s New Hampshire start was pushed back an hour, as officials declared the track dangerously slick after a late‑hour spin; the delay was also a response to the creeping rain threatening the race.
Race Rescheduling Explained
The opening time was adjusted from 3 p.m. ET to 2 p.m. ET, a tactic meant to counteract anticipated weather impacts on the course.
While the intention was to preserve race safety, the rain intensified as the cars tied in for the pace lap, raising concerns over grip and wet‑weather tire usage.
Officials eventually chose to hold the start until the wet conditions subsided, mindful of driver and spectator safety.
Hocevar’s Pace‑Lap Spin
During the pace round, Carson Hocevar lost control, spinning on the damp section and exposing the limits of the two‑gear design on wet asphalt.
He had been testing the surface ahead of the green flag, a move that, while useful for shedding early slips, drew criticism for jeopardizing a controlled lap.
The incident halted the pace line, briefly stalling the race’s progression.
Logano’s Reaction and Social Media Fallout
Joey Logano, watching from the front row, chuckled at the mishap and later labeled Hocevar a “slip‑zone” driver, reinforcing his team’s “thumbs down” stance on a safe launch.
Hocevar posted on social media, claiming he sought to “test the track when no one’s around vs green flag and ppl around,” but the comment was deleted shortly afterward.
The exchange highlights the tension between driver initiative and race authority, a dynamic that may surface again if weather worsens.
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