It’s not often that figures from the racing world and other sports cross paths, but when they do, it makes for some interesting conversations. Carson Hocevar’s encounter with LeBron James is one such example. 

At the pre-race presser for the Window World 450 at North Wilkesboro, the No.77 Spire driver spoke about meeting the NBA player in New York.

While sitting at a table far away from LeBron, he debated whether or not to ask for a photo. A person who knew both of them approached Hocevar, asking for his seat to accommodate LeBron, and invited Hocevar to join them. 

“I mean, there's a lot of a lot of cool people (via Cup Scene on YouTube), like, you know, I think LeBron walked by, and I was like, man, should I get like a photo? And then I was like, no. And so I walked over, and he was outside a table and everything. 

So I sat at a table far away from him, and some guy came up to ask for a seat, and he happened to know who I was and I knew him, and he's like, ‘Hey, I'm taking this seat over to LeBron. Why don't you walk over?’”

Continuing in the pre-race presser, Hocevar revealed that guards had started to form around the area where LeBron was supposed to sit. After things settled down, the NBA player eventually engaged in a conversation with the Spire driver. 

Hocevar noted that the interaction was particularly meaningful because LeBron was aware of who he was, mentioning that his trainer’s kid races in Charlotte and is beginning to get into larger cars. 

“He mentioned that his trainer, his kid races, you know, starting to get into big cars and stuff and Charlotte and, you know, he knew who I was and stuff. So, I thought that was super cool.” 

Similarly, an NFL legend also recently got in touch with Ryan Blaney, while also calling out a media figure for his controversial take. 

Chad Johnson and Ryan Blaney at Indianapolis

Appearing on the On The Gas talk show, the NFL’s Chad Johnson and Penske’s Ryan Blaney teamed up for a spin on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Blaney took Johnson through a wide range of challenges, which included a run on the oval and then on the in-field road course.

Johnson then also took the opportunity to push back against Stephen A Smith’s incredibly absurd take that NASCAR drivers aren’t real athletes. Responding to a question on the show, Johnson stated that racing involves ‘life-or-death’ stakes, with zero room for error.

“He doesn't know what he's talking about because he hasn't been in here. If Stephen A. Smith is to come out here and experience this in the passenger seat, and then… how many cars on a race day? (40)

It puts things into context and a better perspective on why they are athletes. Because this is life or death. Not the NFL, not the NBA -- one wrong move can cost someone's life. You have to be very athletic to be able to do what they do here.”

Read more on the Daytona Racing Digest! 

Written by

Aaradhya Singh

Edited by

Kaamna Dwivedi