Carson Hocevar signs with Spire Motorsports

Carson Hocevar is set to transition to a full-time role in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2024, taking the helm of the No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet under a multiyear contract. This development was shared publicly on FS1’s “NASCAR Race Hub” on Tuesday.

At the age of 20, the Michigan-born Hocevar has already dipped his toes in the Cup Series waters this year, garnering an average finishing position of 22.5 across six starts. These appearances included one race with Spire Motorsports at World Wide Technology Raceway and five races in the No. 42 Chevrolet for Legacy Motor Club, with his top performance being an 11th-place finish at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Hocevar expressed enthusiasm about his ascent to be a Cup Series driver, a role he has aspired to since his youth, eagerly anticipating Sundays filled with racing. He conveyed his confidence in feeling well-prepared to tackle the challenges of driving the No. 77 car for Spire, given his exposure and experience in the series this year.

Hocevar is also concurrently participating in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Playoffs as a third-year driver for Niece Motorsports, steering the No. 42 Chevrolet. His inaugural victory in the series occurred in April 2023 at Texas Motor Speedway, marking a pivotal moment following four second-place finishes. His winning streak extended with additional victories at Nashville Superspeedway and Richmond Raceway prior to the commencement of the postseason. Despite not securing wins in the first four playoff races, Hocevar has consistently performed well, amassing nine top-five finishes in the last 13 races and a runner-up finish in August at the Milwaukee Mile.

As a part-time Cup driver, Hocevar has made a significant impression driving the No. 42 Chevrolet for Legacy Motor Club, delivering four top-20 finishes in five starts. The only exception was at Talladega Superspeedway, where he was caught up in a late-race incident. Prior to Hocevar’s involvement, the No. 42 car, shared to date by drivers Noah Gragson, Josh Berry, and Mike Rockenfeller, had only achieved three top-20 finishes in 26 races this season.

Jeff Dickerson, co-owner of Spire Motorsports, praised Hocevar for his winning mentality and performance, likening him to young versions of Kyle Busch and Brad Keselowski. Dickerson emphasized Hocevar’s undeniable talent and his ability to maximize performance with limited resources, expressing excitement about his inclusion in the Spire Motorsports team and his potential synergy with teammates Corey LaJoie and Zane.

Hocevar credited his success on the track to his extensive work as a simulation driver for Chevrolet teams, particularly during the introduction of the Next Gen vehicle in the Cup Series competition. His services have been utilized by top-tier teams like Hendrick Motorsports and Trackhouse Racing, and more recently by Legacy Motor Club. He underscored his ability to bring valuable insights and knowledge to the teams, aiming to elevate their programs.

Set to be teammates with Corey LaJoie at Spire, Hocevar anticipates their relationship will flourish as they work closely together, sharing insights and driving notes in an effort to boost each other’s performance.

Hocevar is slated to drive the No. 42 Chevrolet in the remaining four races of 2023, beginning at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Photo by Jett White