Hocevar stuns, praises 12-year-old Flatt after Tulsa Shootout showing
Carson Hocevar turned heads this week by publicly praising 12-year-old dirt racer Braxton Flatt after the Tulsa Shootout qualifiers, a shout-out that drew attention to the youngster’s rising profile. Hocevar replied to a tweet calling Flatt “rips,” and the Spire Motorsports driver’s acknowledgement came as Flatt delivered a strong run in the 2026 Tulsa Shootout heats. When asked about the praise, Flatt kept things low-key, saying he hadn’t brought any of his bump-and-run T-shirts to the event and remains focused on racing rather than the viral moment that made him an overnight sensation in 2023.
Flatt first grabbed wider attention with his bump-and-run move and postrace explanation after winning the 2023 Tulsa Shootout Junior Prince Golden Driller, a breakthrough that grew from years of racing in quarter midgets, microsprints and junior divisions. He credits his dad for teaching the bump-and-run tactic—nudging a rival to slide up the track to gain position—and has backed it up with consistent regional results and podium finishes against older competition. That mix of technique and youthful candor helped make his interview a standout viral moment.
At the 2026 Tulsa Shootout, Flatt showed he’s more than a one-off viral clip: he started sixth in his heat, worked his way forward to finish second, and moved up to fourth in the overall standings with 222 points, keeping him firmly in contention. Hocevar’s public support underscored the attention younger dirt racers are drawing from Cup drivers, even as Flatt stays humble and focused on adding another win to his résumé.
Hocevar himself has been reconnecting with dirt racing lately. He won an iRacing Chili Bowl special event after leading much of the race and has hinted he’d like to return to the real-world Chili Bowl Nationals in Tulsa—a marquee dirt event scheduled Jan. 12–17, 2026 at the Tulsa Expo Center—though he hasn’t officially entered. The 23-year-old also recently raced a dirt late model at the Gateway Nationals and has spoken about enjoying dirt competition for its emphasis on driver feel and race craft over data and aero. Both the veteran Cup driver’s endorsement and Flatt’s on-track form suggest the Tulsa dirt scene will remain a key spotlight this winter.
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