Spire Motorsports’ rising star Carson Hocevar is setting his sights high, determined to make a name for himself in the NASCAR Cup Series. Ever since the team made its full-time debut in 2019, there have been moments of glory, such as Justin Haley’s unexpected triumph at the 2019 Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway and Corey LaJoie’s impressive back-to-back top-five finishes at Atlanta Motor Speedway in 2022 and 2023.
Recently, Atlanta Motor Speedway was once again a stage for Spire Motorsports’ impressive performance. This time it was Carson Hocevar, who nearly clinched a victory for the team led by Jeff Dickerson. The team underwent significant changes during the off-season, leading to heightened expectations for race wins and playoff spots. Hocevar’s second-place finish in the recent race at Atlanta signals that Spire Motorsports is ready to break away from the pack.
In a post-race interview, the 22-year-old racer made his intentions clear. “I finished second. We’re here to win races, not be a boy band and love each other and play on the playground together,” Hocevar declared. He’s shown a readiness to stir things up on the track, focusing on boosting Spire’s performance, even if it means ruffling some feathers.
Following his rookie season, Hocevar is eager to establish himself among the NASCAR elite. His bold racing style, which left veterans like Kyle Busch and Ryan Blaney fuming, led to a career-best runner-up finish at Atlanta. As Hocevar sees it, the most crucial takeaway is the potential for future success.
In an interview with Claire B Lang, Hocevar reflected on his performance, “For us to put a spire car second, and to have a shot to win is really special for us… to run top 10, get stage points, finish second.” Though he began the season with a respectable P16 finish at the Bowman Gray Stadium, he failed to make a significant impact at the Daytona 500, finishing at P30. Understanding the need for a strategic shift, he decided to throw caution to the wind during the final restart at Atlanta, ultimately leading to a dramatic improvement in his standing.
Spire Motorsports’ promising performance can be attributed in part to its strategic off-season recruitment. The team brought in Justin Haley and experienced driver Michael McDowell, along with Rodney Childers who now leads the No. 7 team alongside Haley. Given the team’s strong start, Hocevar remains optimistic about the future.
However, as the Circuit of The Americas waits on the horizon, it remains to be seen if Hocevar can maintain his momentum amid the changing complexities of the tracks. In addition to his Cup Series commitments with Spire Motorsports, Hocevar will also compete in the Xfinity Series race in Austin, Texas, driving the No. 14 Trophy Tractor Chevy Camaro with SS Greenlight Racing.
Hocevar, who won the Sunoco Rookie of the Year award in 2024, has shown significant improvement on road courses. His best finish in the Cup Series prior to Atlanta was a P3 at Watkins Glen. With extra seat time at the newly configured 2.3-mile layout, Hocevar is hoping to use this opportunity to improve his Cup racing performance further.
The upcoming race in COTA poses an additional challenge for Hocevar. However, it could also be an opportunity for Michael McDowell to shine, validating his move from Ford to the ambitious Chevy team. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Hocevar and his team as they strive to make their “new normal” a permanent fixture in the NASCAR Cup Series.