NASCAR Insiders Call Out Perceived Double Standard After Logano-Chastain Wreck

Analysts compare reaction to Logano incident versus similar crashes involving younger driver Carson Hocevar.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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NASCAR insiders Jeff Gluck and Jordan Bianchi discussed a perceived double standard in how the sport's veteran drivers like Joey Logano are treated versus younger, less experienced drivers like Carson Hocevar. They pointed to Logano's wreck with Ross Chastain at Phoenix, where Logano quickly admitted fault, in contrast to how Hocevar has been criticized for similar incidents in the past.

Why it matters

The discussion highlights ongoing debates around driver conduct and accountability in NASCAR, particularly when it comes to more established stars versus up-and-coming talents. It raises questions about whether veteran drivers receive more leeway for on-track incidents compared to their less experienced counterparts.

The details

During the Straight Talk Wireless 500 at Phoenix, Joey Logano got into the back of Ross Chastain, causing a major wreck. Logano quickly admitted fault on his team radio, saying "Dang it, I didn't mean to do that, obviously. I didn't try to clip him." However, NASCAR insiders Gluck and Bianchi noted that if a similar incident had involved the younger Carson Hocevar, the reaction would have been much more critical, with talk of Hocevar being "out of control." They argued this highlights a perceived double standard in how veteran drivers versus younger drivers are judged for on-track incidents.

  • The incident occurred with 96 laps remaining in the Straight Talk Wireless 500 at Phoenix Raceway on March 9, 2026.

The players

Joey Logano

A three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion who was involved in the wreck with Ross Chastain at Phoenix.

Ross Chastain

The driver who was turned by Joey Logano, causing a major wreck at Phoenix.

Carson Hocevar

A young NASCAR driver who has faced criticism for similar on-track incidents in the past, which the analysts compared to the Logano-Chastain wreck.

Jeff Gluck

A NASCAR analyst and co-host of The Teardown podcast, who discussed the perceived double standard.

Jordan Bianchi

A NASCAR analyst and co-host of The Teardown podcast, who also discussed the perceived double standard.

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What they’re saying

“Dang it, I didn't mean to do that, obviously. I didn't try to clip him.”

— Joey Logano (Jonathan Fjeld)

“We talked about some of the people that were affected by the Logano crash, and then he ends up obviously getting crashed shortly thereafter in almost a similar way when he collided with (AJ) Allmendinger. Man, I tell you what, obviously you know Logano's a veteran. That's not something he's, I don't think there's any chance he's doing it on purpose or being reckless in that moment. But imagine if that had been Hocevar.”

— Jeff Gluck, NASCAR Analyst, The Teardown Podcast (The Teardown Podcast)

“I thought the same thing. I thought the same exact thing. You know how much in arms people would have been? Oh my God. … It would dominate, the No. 1 news story — 'Hurricane Hocevar is out of control.' It would be like the (Ross) Chastain conversation from years ago.”

— Jordan Bianchi, NASCAR Analyst, The Teardown Podcast (The Teardown Podcast)

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing debates around driver conduct and accountability in NASCAR, particularly the perceived double standard in how veteran drivers versus younger, less experienced drivers are judged for similar on-track incidents. It raises questions about whether more established stars receive more leeway from the media and fans compared to up-and-coming talents.