Kyle Larson Isn’t Frustrated by Carson Hocevar’s Fame

Kyle Larson says he isn't frustrated by the fan following Carson Hocevar has built, even as other NASCAR drivers push back on how Hocevar races. The reigning Cup Series champion said Hocevar's differences are what draw fans in.

Larson was asked about Hocevar during a media session at Kansas Speedway on Saturday. Hocevar's growing fan base has been a talking point since Ryan Blaney confronted him after the Bristol Night Race on Sept. 19. The two traded punches on pit road, and NASCAR chose not to penalize either driver.

Kyle Larson Says Carson Hocevar Is 'Different'

Larson and Hocevar have not had any run-ins on the track. Larson drives the No. 5 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports , which has an alliance with Hocevar's Spire Motorsports team.

Asked if Hocevar's popularity surprised or frustrated him, Larson said Hocevar stands out from the rest of the field.

"No, I mean, because he's different than all of us. Acts different, talks different, dresses different. "So, I think that's refreshing for fans. And he drives more aggressive and willing to do crazier things than the rest of us probably are."

"No, I mean, because he's different than all of us. Acts different, talks different, dresses different.

"So, I think that's refreshing for fans. And he drives more aggressive and willing to do crazier things than the rest of us probably are."

Larson said he doesn't resent the attention Hocevar is getting.

"So no, I mean, it's not frustrating at all on that aspect. Like I'm not jealous of any exposure he's getting from it because he's doing a good job with it."

He added that drivers still have to be careful around the No. 77 on the track.

"He's just different and people like different. So, yeah, I think it's definitely… you have to keep your eye on him when you're on the racetrack. "But as a fan, I can see why he's likable in that aspect."

"He's just different and people like different. So, yeah, I think it's definitely… you have to keep your eye on him when you're on the racetrack.

"But as a fan, I can see why he's likable in that aspect."

Larson heads into Sunday's race at Kansas leading the Chase standings by one point over Denny Hamlin . Hocevar, 23, is eighth after finishing third at Bristol.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. offered his own read on Hocevar on the Dirty Air podcast . He said Hocevar measures his performance by how fans react.

"Oh, listen, I'm going to tell you, if you pile it all up here, he definitely is unique. If Spire wants to ask him to do some things differently, they're going to try to do that. But I feel like he goes off a fan reaction. "And if the fans are happy, and if he's getting the reaction that he wants out of that engagement with fans, then he feels like that he has done his job well."

"Oh, listen, I'm going to tell you, if you pile it all up here, he definitely is unique. If Spire wants to ask him to do some things differently, they're going to try to do that. But I feel like he goes off a fan reaction.

"And if the fans are happy, and if he's getting the reaction that he wants out of that engagement with fans, then he feels like that he has done his job well."

Earnhardt, a 26-time Cup Series winner who now works in motorsports media, said Hocevar's goal goes beyond drama.

"He wants to create… I don't think drama is the wrong word. I think he wants to create moments. And so that's what he's trying. You know, he's wanting to create moments, and the reaction the fans give him is telling his brain, 'I did my job well today.'"

He also said NASCAR's response to the Bristol fight sends Hocevar a message. Earnhardt pointed to NASCAR CEO Steve O'Donnell and the decision not to issue fines.

"And when NASCAR is going to come up and say, no fines, that put us up on a SportsCenter, all those things, Hocevar sees that as I made O'Donnell happy. I did my job today. "I'm doing what NASCAR prefers me to do. Right or wrong, that's what's going down."

"And when NASCAR is going to come up and say, no fines, that put us up on a SportsCenter, all those things, Hocevar sees that as I made O'Donnell happy. I did my job today.

"I'm doing what NASCAR prefers me to do. Right or wrong, that's what's going down."

Larson and Hocevar both start Sunday's Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas, the fourth of 10 races in the Chase. The race starts at 3 p.m. ET on USA Network.