Carson Hocevar Lets Out Frustration as NASCAR’s ‘Open Lottery’ Race Costs Him the Victory Bristol’s tire falloff left drivers like Hocevar gutted, as the race relied more on unpredictability than stra

Saturday night’s Bristol Night Race once again put Goodyear’s tire strategy at the center of NASCAR’s playoff drama. Drivers left the half-mile track divided. The extreme tire falloff either created more skill-based racing or it introduced too much unpredictability. Veteran Brad Keselowski called the race a “50/50 shot on the restart.” He explained that a slight change in track temperature completely shifted grip levels. Strong cars and sound strategy were not the issue, as many teams were left relying on variables beyond their control. That lingering uncertainty set the stage for Carson Hocevar’s frustrations in the closing laps.

Hocevar, who was running well up front, but everything changed for him after the final caution. The combination of worn tires and chaotic restarts turned a pr