NASCAR's New Documentary Series "RISING" Offers Unvarnished Look at Young Talent

Charlotte, NC – NASCAR is delving into the personal journeys of its emerging stars with the launch of "RISING," a new documentary series that premiered on YouTube this week. The five-part series aims to capture the authentic experiences of Carson Hocevar, Jesse Love, and Rajah Caruth, offering viewers an intimate glimpse into their lives both on and off the track. Each night at 7 p.m. ET, a new episode will be released, shedding light on the challenges and triumphs of these drivers as they navigate the demanding world of professional stock car racing.

Carson Hocevar, a prominent figure in the series, embraces the documentary’s candid approach, aligning with his public persona. Known for his active presence on Twitch streams and his accessible nature at off-season dirt track and short track events, Hocevar views the extensive filming as a natural extension of his transparent lifestyle. "I think it’s healthy for a show to have the good, bad and the ugly, right," Hocevar stated during a teleconference. "For me, I’m comfortable being vulnerable on a camera just because I think that’s healthy."

Hocevar articulated his belief that an unvarnished portrayal is crucial for genuine connection with the audience. "Life isn’t all sunshine and rainbows, and when everything is PR or portrayed that way, the world can see through that pretty easily and feel like something is faked or whatever," he explained. "I want to watch ‘authentic’ and ‘real’ and there’s a reason drama or clickbait sells. I think shows need that." He acknowledged moments of discomfort during filming but ultimately found value in the process, anticipating that fans would too. "There were times when it was rough, and I did wish it wasn’t being filmed, but at the same time, I look back on it and was happy that it was and I think fans will be too."

The creation of "RISING" aligns with NASCAR’s strategic focus on content development, particularly in highlighting compelling personalities. This initiative is spearheaded by John Dahl, who joined NASCAR as Senior Vice President of Content in 2024. Dahl, an original executive producer for the critically acclaimed ESPN "30 for 30" documentary series, is known for his commitment to authentic storytelling. His influence is evident in previous NASCAR productions like "Full Speed" and the Dale Earnhardt documentaries, which have resonated with audiences for their genuine portrayal of the sport and its figures.

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Dahl emphasized NASCAR’s objective to showcase drivers who are willing to be open and share their genuine experiences, moving beyond curated public relations narratives. "What we’re looking (to spotlight) is characters and people, drivers in this case, who are willing to open up and not just present a polished PR look at their lives, and are willing to be vulnerable," Dahl commented.

He further elaborated on the series’ core mission: "These are drivers that have an interesting story, a backstory, and we see it with all three over the course of these five episodes, that they have inspiring and interesting backgrounds. We show them as human beings, and as we expand our audience for NASCAR, we look to do storytelling that is authentic and relatable, and that’s what we got here with RISING."

Carson Hocevar, who has cultivated a reputation for his direct communication style, even when facing criticism on the track, has consistently maintained this approach since his early days in short-track racing. His willingness to express his opinions without reservation has been a hallmark of his career, extending into his third season at the NASCAR Cup Series level.

Hocevar reflected on his early career, contrasting his approach with that of some of his peers. "There are some young drivers out there, 15 years old, and they show up to the track with nice pants and they look like salesman," he observed. "They have buttoned up shirts and their sponsors on them, mostly their family business, and they try to play a part. I never had that. I was showing up to the race track in shorts, and just wanted to race, and I always thought that even if this is what you’re supposed to do, at least I stand out by not doing it."

For Hocevar, "RISING" serves as an opportunity to present himself as an approachable individual who happens to compete in high-performance vehicles. He asserts that he is not adopting a persona but rather showcasing his true self. His aspiration is to embody the kind of racer he admired as a fan during his youth.

"This is a look at who I am behind close doors and how can I be the driver that I was a fan of growing up," Hocevar stated. He also noted the evolving landscape of sports content consumption, with platforms like YouTube and streaming services becoming increasingly influential. "We have YouTube documentaries and streaming services, content creators, so that’s new. But even racing the La Mullets (a race at Freedom Factory owned by Cleetus McFarland), that got a crazy number of viewers and that started with a guy that was just shooting content with his iPhone, and it’s just fun to watch."

Hocevar expressed his desire for "RISING" to contribute to the growth of NASCAR. "So ultimately, I just want to hopefully grow the sport, and not be a disservice to five-year-old me that fell in love with the sport," he said. "It would be a disservice to that kid and every kid like me if I shied away from going into the stands, enjoying a Xfinity or Trucks race, and not positing about the things I do."

He concluded by emphasizing his passion for the sport and his hope that the documentary will resonate with a broad audience. "I just hope that it moves the needle, because I’m passionate about this sport, and seeing kids with their parents because I was that kid once."

The inclusion of Jesse Love and Rajah Caruth alongside Hocevar highlights NASCAR’s strategy to feature a diverse group of emerging talents. Love, a promising driver in the ARCA Menards Series and a recent competitor in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, brings a background of significant success in developmental series. Caruth, who has been making strides in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, represents a growing presence of diverse talent within the sport. The series is expected to explore their unique backgrounds, motivations, and the challenges they face in their pursuit of NASCAR careers.

The documentary series represents a significant investment by NASCAR in digital content creation, aiming to connect with a younger demographic and broaden the sport’s appeal. By focusing on the human element and personal narratives of its rising stars, NASCAR hopes to foster deeper engagement and cultivate a new generation of fans. The success of "RISING" could pave the way for further in-depth storytelling initiatives within the organization.