Carson Hocevar

Carson Hocevar Bio

Carson Scott Hocevar (born January 28, 2003) is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for Spire Motorsports. He is the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year and a former member of the Drivers Edge Development driver development system.

Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall, Hocevar began racing as a child in Michigan and worked his way up through quarter midgets, late models, and the ARCA Menards Series before reaching the national NASCAR ranks. Known by the nickname “Hurricane Hocevar” for his aggressive driving style, he has built a reputation as one of the sport’s most talked-about young drivers.

Early Life and Background

Hocevar was born on January 28, 2003, in Portage, Michigan. He is the son of Scott and Amy Hocevar and grew up surrounded by racing through his father’s involvement in local motorsports. Scott Hocevar worked as a crew member and sponsor for various local teams, which exposed his son to many notable drivers at a young age.

Through his father’s connections, Carson was heavily mentored by Bryan Clauson, for whom Scott Hocevar served as a crew member. He was later mentored by Johnny Benson, who was sponsored by Carson’s father. This relationship allowed Carson to work as a mechanic on Benson’s racecars and later drive for him in his Outlaw Late Model program.

Hocevar began competing in quarter midgets at the age of seven, winning 79 feature races and fifteen national championships. He started racing at Berlin Raceway in 2015 at age twelve and won the track’s Outlaw Late Model championship. After winning his first Super Late Model race at the track in 2016, NASCAR rules temporarily stopped him from competing because he was under fourteen. He returned in 2017 and won the track’s Super Late Model championship before graduating from Gull Lake High School in 2021.

Path to NASCAR

Hocevar’s path to NASCAR began in the ARCA Menards Series, where he competed in eleven races between 2018 and 2019. During that span he earned nine top-ten finishes and two pole positions, signaling his potential as a rising talent. In 2019 he joined the Drivers Edge Development Program, which helped sharpen his skills and connect him with national-level opportunities.

He made his NASCAR national-series debut in the 2019 Eldora Dirt Derby, driving the No. 3 Chevrolet Silverado for Jordan Anderson Racing. Later that season he returned for the Lucas Oil 150 with a No. 56 truck fielded through a partnership between Hill Motorsports and Jordan Anderson Racing. These early Truck Series appearances laid the groundwork for a multi-year climb up the NASCAR ladder.

Carson Hocevar Career

Early Career (2018–2020)

Hocevar’s stock car career began in the ARCA Menards Series in 2018, when he debuted at Toledo. Between 2018 and 2019, he racked up nine top-ten finishes and two pole positions across eleven ARCA starts, building a resume that caught the attention of Truck Series teams. He also ran in Midgets, Micro Sprints, and Dirt Super Late Models on a part-time basis.

On December 20, 2019, Hocevar joined Niece Motorsports for a nine-race Truck Series schedule in 2020. That season produced solid development results and positioned him for a full-time opportunity the following year. He also picked up prestigious Super Late Model victories at Winchester 400 and Redbud 400 in 2020, along with his first Money in the Bank 150 win at Berlin Raceway.

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Breakthrough (2021–2023)

On September 24, 2020, Hocevar and Niece Motorsports announced a full-season schedule for 2021, and Hocevar enjoyed a strong rookie Truck Series campaign. He finished second at Charlotte and fourth at Las Vegas, showing race-winning pace before re-signing with the team for 2022. His results demonstrated he could compete near the front of the field on a weekly basis.

The 2022 season was interrupted by a frightening crash at Gateway, where Hocevar broke his right tibia at the ankle on the final lap when his truck was T-boned by Tyler Hill. He underwent surgery before Sonoma, took the pole position, and was later relieved by Daniel Suárez, who drove the No. 42 to a sixth-place finish.

Hocevar’s breakthrough came in 2023. After opening the year with a twelfth-place finish at Daytona, he scored his first career Truck Series victory at Texas in double-overtime. He added wins at Nashville and Richmond, then won at Homestead to make the Championship 4. After the Homestead race, NASCAR penalized Corey Heim 25 driver points for intentionally wrecking him, and Hocevar was credited with a third-place points finish. He re-signed with Niece and continued developing as one of the series’ top young drivers.

NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (2023–Present)

On March 7, 2023, Spire Motorsports announced an expansion into the NASCAR Xfinity Series, with Hocevar scheduled to run six races in their No. 07 car. After a brake failure led to a 36th-place debut at Circuit of the Americas, he bounced back with a sixth-place finish at Darlington and an eighth-place result at Charlotte.

On February 24, 2025, Hocevar was announced as a driver for SS-Green Light Racing with BRK Racing, replacing Garrett Smithley at COTA. On July 30, 2025, it was announced that he would drive the No. 11 for Kaulig Racing at Iowa following Josh Williams’ release from the team. Across his part-time Xfinity and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series efforts, Hocevar has balanced development work with his full-time Cup commitments.

NASCAR Cup Series Breakthrough (2023–Present)

On May 30, 2023, Hocevar was named the driver of the No. 7 Spire Motorsports Camaro ZL1 for the Enjoy Illinois 300 at Gateway Motorsports Park, stepping in while Corey LaJoie filled in at Hendrick Motorsports. He later drove the Legacy Motor Club No. 42 to a seventeenth-place finish at Darlington and a career-best eleventh at the Bristol night race. On October 4, 2023, he was signed to drive the No. 42 for the remainder of the season.

On October 10, 2023, Hocevar announced on NASCAR Race Hub that he would bypass the Xfinity Series and join Spire Motorsports in the Cup Series full-time for 2024 in the No. 77 car under a multi-year deal. His rookie season included his first career top-ten at Texas, a fine of US$50,000 and a 25-point penalty at Nashville for spinning Harrison Burton, and a best career Cup finish of third at Watkins Glen. At season’s end he was named the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year.

Hocevar’s 2025 season featured continued growth, including a runner-up finish at Atlanta, his first career Cup Series pole at Texas, and a fine of US$50,000 ordered by Spire Motorsports for comments made during a livestream. In 2026, he scored his first career Cup Series victory at Talladega in the Jack Link’s 500, producing a memorable celebration that drew praise from NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell.

Spire Motorsports Era (2024–Present)

Hocevar’s full-time Cup Series career has been built with Spire Motorsports, where he drives the No. 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. On April 18, 2025, it was announced that he would also drive part-time for Spire in their No. 7 Truck Series entry in four races, and on January 29, 2026, Spire confirmed he would run the season-opening Truck Series race at Daytona in the No. 77. His partnership with the team has produced steadily improving results on track.

The Spire era has been defined by steady performance gains, headline-grabbing moments, and growing visibility for the organization. Hocevar led a triple top-ten day for Spire at Watkins Glen in 2024 and qualified second at Darlington, the best starting spot in Spire Motorsports history. His Talladega victory in 2026 cemented his role as a flagship driver for the team.

Driving Style and Strengths

Hocevar is known for an aggressive, fearless driving style that has drawn polarized opinions from fellow drivers, journalists, and fans. Announcer Leigh Diffey nicknamed him “Hurricane Hocevar” in recognition of his bold moves and willingness to take risks. He has shown particular strength on superspeedways, road courses, and high-stakes restarts where race craft and confidence matter most.

Notable Races and Milestones

Among Hocevar’s signature moments are his 2023 Truck Series wins at Texas, Nashville, Richmond, and Homestead, his 2024 Cup Series Rookie of the Year honor, and his first Cup victory in the 2026 Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega. He has also picked up prestigious short-track and Super Late Model wins at the Winchester 400, Redbud 400, and multiple Money in the Bank 150 events at Berlin Raceway.

Carson Hocevar Career Wins

Carson Hocevar has built a versatile resume that spans Super Late Models, the ARCA Menards Series, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, and the NASCAR Cup Series. He has collected marquee short-track victories, six career Truck Series wins, and a breakthrough Cup Series triumph at Talladega in 2026.

NASCAR Cup Series Highlights

Hocevar’s first and, to date, only NASCAR Cup Series victory came at Talladega Superspeedway in the 2026 Jack Link’s 500. Across the Cup Series he has accumulated 22 top-ten finishes and 2 poles, including a runner-up at Atlanta in 2025 and a third-place finish at Watkins Glen in 2024 that led a triple top-ten day for Spire Motorsports. His best Cup points finish remains 21st in 2024.

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Highlights

Hocevar’s first career Truck Series win came at Texas in 2023, a double-overtime finish earned when contact between the race leader and Zane Smith allowed him to capitalize. He added Truck Series wins at Nashville, Richmond, and Homestead that same year, plus a 2025 victory at Kansas driving part-time for Spire Motorsports. He picked up his sixth career Truck Series win at Texas in 2026, finishing the season with 6 wins, 38 top-ten finishes, and 1 pole.

Other Wins and Performances

Outside the national NASCAR ranks, Hocevar captured the Winchester 400 and Redbud 400 in 2020, three Money in the Bank 150 victories at Berlin Raceway in 2020, 2021, and 2025, and the 2.4 Hours of LeMullets at the Freedom Factory in 2025 alongside co-driver Cleetus McFarland. In the ARCA Menards Series he posted nine top-ten finishes and two poles across eleven starts between 2018 and 2019.

Carson Hocevar Family

Family Background and Racing Lineage

Hocevar is the son of Scott and Amy Hocevar, and his family’s involvement in racing shaped his early career. His father Scott worked as a crew member and sponsor for various local racing teams, which gave Carson access to experienced mentors and competitive equipment. Through his father’s connections, Carson was mentored by the late Bryan Clauson and later by veteran driver Johnny Benson, for whom he worked as a mechanic.

Personal Life

Hocevar graduated from Gull Lake High School in 2021 while balancing his rising racing career. In 2026, he attended the Met Gala with E! and publicly mentioned a celebrity crush on singer Sabrina Carpenter. He has also expanded his media presence, joining NASCAR on Fox’s Cup driver-only broadcast in 2025 and filling in as a pit reporter for High Limit Racing in 2026.

2025 Season Performance

Hocevar’s 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season reflected steady growth in his second full year with Spire Motorsports. He opened with a 30th-place DNF at the Daytona 500 before rebounding with a runner-up finish at Atlanta in a controversial overtime finish behind Christopher Bell. Later in the year he earned his first career Cup Series pole at Texas, and at Nashville he again eclipsed his previous best Cup finish.

Off-track headlines also shaped his 2025 campaign. Following the Mexico City road race, Spire Motorsports fined him US$50,000 and ordered him to complete cultural-sensitivity and bias-awareness training after comments made during a livestream. During the Hollywood Casino 400, officials cited him with member conduct violations and another US$50,000 fine after he revved his tires while safety personnel were attending to his car.

Hocevar also balanced part-time Truck and Xfinity Series efforts, including a win at Kansas in the Spire No. 7 truck and an Xfinity Series start at COTA with SS-Green Light Racing and BRK Racing. He made his debut in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series start at Iowa with Kaulig Racing. Entering the 2026 season, Hocevar carried momentum, fan interest, and a Spire Motorsports program on the rise, setting the stage for his breakthrough Cup Series victory at Talladega.