Toby's Take: It's Time For NASCAR To Penalize The Golden Goose

In NASCAR’s Cup Series Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway, Carson Hocevar drew criticism for an on-track incident involving Austin Cindric that escalated well beyond a typical short-track scrap. With Cindric battling Kyle Larson for a free pass on Lap 211, Chase Briscoe’s taps from behind sent Cindric into Hocevar’s No. 77 Chevrolet. Hocevar, two laps down, responded with repeated brake-check attempts in front of Cindric’s No. 2 Ford, doing so four times overall. The softer front-bumper area from this season’s short-track package changes is cited as part of why the maneuvers could cause significant damage. Cindric ended up going behind the wall and finished 222 laps total. After a 21st-place finish, Hocevar reportedly downplayed responsibility, saying it was “just Martinsville,” while noting he “had fun.”