​MARTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA – OCTOBER 31: Carson Hocevar, driver of the #77 Zeigler Auto Group Chevrolet, drives during practice for the NASCAR Cup Series Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway on October 31, 2026 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images) GettyNASCAR has explained why Carson Hocevar and Josh Berry received major penalties following separate brake-checking incidents during Sunday’s Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway.NASCAR Vice President of Competition Elton Sawyer said the drivers crossed a line by deliberately using their cars’ front structures to damage competitors. Hocevar received a $100,000 fine and a 25-point deduction, while Berry was fined $50,000 and also lost 25 points.NASCAR reached its decision after reviewing car data and radio audio, which officials said showed deliberate braking.Speaking on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Sawyer explained why the incidents required serious action and why Hocevar received a larger fine. He also addressed concerns about the softer front bumpers introduced to improve racing and reduce damage.NASCAR Explains Carson Hocevar and Josh Berry PenaltiesNASCAR issued both penalties under Section 4.4a of its Rule Book, which covers actions detrimental to stock car racing. Hocevar also received additional violations under the driver code of conduct.The review showed Hocevar hard-braked four times on the straightaways directly in front of Austin Cindric. The collision severely damaged Cindric’s No. 2 Team Penske Ford, ending his race. Hocevar’s spotter, Tyler Green, repeatedly told him to stop, but the driver did not respond.Berry braked hard ahead of Ryan Blaney, damaging the front of Blaney’s No. 12 Ford and forcing him behind the wall.Sawyer said NASCAR relied on modern telemetry and radio communications to reach its decision.“I think the world that we live in today with the amount of data we can pull off the cars and go back and review that, we can make better decisions,” Sawyer said.He added that NASCAR wanted the focus to remain on the championship battles at Homestead-Miami Speedway.Why NASCAR Gave Carson Hocevar a Bigger FineHocevar received a $100,000 fine, while Berry received $50,000. Both drivers lost 25 points, but NASCAR considered the repeated nature of Hocevar’s actions and his previous behavioral discussions with officials when setting the financial penalties.“We just felt like after reviewing all the data and the audio, that this one rose to a level that it needed to be more than just the 50,000 that Josh got,” Sawyer said.The penalties followed Spire Motorsports’ decision to suspend Hocevar for the season finale at Homestead-Miami. Justin Haley will replace him in the No. 77 Chevrolet.Sawyer confirmed that Spire’s suspension did not influence NASCAR’s decision to fine Hocevar.He also explained why NASCAR stepped in despite Martinsville’s reputation for aggressive short-track racing.“We knew Martinsville would be the first test as far a