While NASCAR gives way to multiple rivalries, it has also seen multiple friendships bloom over the years. But this doesn't sit right with Carson Hocevar.

One such well-known friendship is that of Connor Zilisch and Jesse Love, who've been the best of buddies since their go-karting days. The two continue to share a good bond despite rising in NASCAR's ranks together. Their friendship is one of the most talked-about in the NASCAR media. 

While talking about the same on the latest episode of Dale Jr Download, the Spire Motorsports driver expressed his annoyance with the number of times the two drivers' friendship is brought up. 

"The only thing that I hope does not follow to the Cup series is I wish every TV person would stop saying Jesse Love and Connor Zilisch are the best of friends. I wish they would stop that. I know they are, but you don't have to say it in every interview."

The No.77 driver further added how the storyline does not necessarily contribute to the sport but rather feeds into the stereotype that the drivers are all friends. 

"They can be friends, but it's like every interview, it's just like 'What's it like racing your best friend that you go out with every night and do everything?' But like, it's that's not doing anything to help the sport.

"It's just making the stereotype that all the drivers are too close of friends or too you know, they're not going to race each other super hard and everything," Hocevar added on the Dale Jr Download.

Furthermore, he spoke about how the media starts talking about the friendship between the two drivers the moment they are together in an interview or seen together on track. His point is simple:

"If I'm a fan, I don't want to hear it everytime."

Carson Hocevar’s take on this quickly gained traction as a clip of him talking about the topic on the podcast began making rounds on social media. The Richard Childress Racing driver has now weighed in. 

Jesse Love responds to Carson Hocevar’s take

After the Spire Motorsports driver's comments quickly drew attention, Jesse Love broke his silence about the situation. Love took to his social media account as he reposted the clip and responded by writing, 

"If you’re jealous, just say that." Love wrote on his X account. 

However, this was not the first time the RCR driver addressed his friendship with Zilisch. During the 2025 O’Reilly series, the duo was locked into a fierce championship battle. At this time, Love spoke about how he was grateful to have a friend who he could also be a fierce competitor. 

"But thankfully, I’ve got a great friend group that we can go out and compete and be fierce competitors on the race track, and then come off the track and not treat each other how we do on the race track and be friendly."

While Hocevar expressed his concern that the media promoting friendships might make fans feel drivers don't battle hard, Jesse Love and Connor Zilisch have set an example of how rivalry and friendship can co-exist in the sport.

What's your take? Do you agree with Hocevar or Love?

You can read more on the Daytona Racing Digest!

Written by

Chionia Libania Colaco

Edited by

Suyashdeep Sason