Carson Hocevar

Hocevar began competing in quarter midgets at the age of 7, winning 79 feature races and 15 national championships. He started racing at Berlin Raceway in 2015 as a 12-year-old and won the track's Outlaw Late Model championship. He won his first Super Late Model race at the track in 2016, but NASCAR stopped all drivers under 14 from competing at sanctioned tracks. Hocevar returned in 2017 and won the track's Super Late Model championship.

File:28CarsonHocevarBesideCar2019ShoreLunch200.jpg]]

Hocevar competed in 11 ARCA Menards Series races between 2018 and 2019,{{cite web|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/rquery?id=hocevca01&trk=t0&series=A|title=Driver Carson Hocevar's ARCA Menards Series races - Racing-Reference.info|website=www.racing-reference.info|access-date=August 1, 2019}} with 9 top-ten finishes{{cite web|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/rquery?id=hocevca01&trk=t10&series=A|title=Driver Carson Hocevar's ARCA Menards Series top 10s - Racing-Reference.info|website=www.racing-reference.info|access-date=August 1, 2019}} and 2 pole positions.{{cite web|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/rquery?id=hocevca01&trk=tl&series=A|title=Driver Carson Hocevar's ARCA Menards Series poles - Racing-Reference.info|website=www.racing-reference.info|access-date=August 1, 2019}}

In 2019, he joined the Driver's Edge Development Program.{{cite web|url=https://www.arcaracing.com/articles/2011698-carson-hocevar-joins-drivers-edge-development-program-for-2019|title=Carson Hocevar Joins Drivers Edge Development Program for 2019|last=Krall|first=Charles|website=ARCA Racing|language=en|access-date=August 1, 2019}}

Hocevar made his NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series debut in the 2019 Eldora Dirt Derby driving the No. 3 Chevrolet Silverado for Jordan Anderson Racing.{{cite web |title=Carson Hocevar to make NASCAR debut with Jordan Anderson Racing |date=July 26, 2019 |url=https://speedwaydigest.com/index.php/news/gander-outdoors-truck-series-news/51638-carson-hocevar-to-make-nascar-debut-with-jordan-anderson-racing |publisher=Speedway Digest |accessdate=August 1, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.mlive.com/sports/2019/07/2017-berlin-raceway-champ-carson-hocevar-to-make-nascar-debut.html|title=2017 Berlin Raceway champ Carson Hocevar to make NASCAR debut|last=Kaminski|first=Steve|date=July 30, 2019|website=mlive.com|language=en-US|access-date=August 1, 2019}}{{cite web|url=http://nbc25news.com/sports/portage-racer-prepares-for-nascar-truck-series-debut|title=Portage racer prepares for Nascar Truck Series debut|last=Pepper|first=Andy|date=July 30, 2019|website=WEYI|access-date=August 1, 2019}} He qualified for the main event by finishing third in the third qualifying race.{{cite web |last1=Waack |first1=Terrin |title=Eldora qualifying race results, running lineup |date=August 1, 2019 |url=https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2019/08/01/eldora-speedway-qualifying-race-results-running-lineup-2019/ |accessdate=August 1, 2019}} He returned to the series in November at the Lucas Oil 150, driving a No. 56 for JAR in a partnership with Hill Motorsports.{{cite web|last=Krall|first=Charles|url=https://www.arcaracing.com/articles/2013009-arca-menards-series-driver-carson-hocevar-to-make-second-nascar-gander-outdoors-truck-series-start-of-2019-at-phoenix|title=ARCA Menards Series Driver Carson Hocevar to Make Second NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series Start of 2019 at Phoenix|publisher=ARCA Menards Series|date=October 23, 2019|accessdate=November 5, 2019}}

On December 20, 2019, Hocevar joined Niece Motorsports for a nine-race schedule in 2020.{{cite web|url=http://niecemotorsports.com/niece-motorsports/carson-hocevar-joins-niece-motorsports-for-partial-schedule-in-2020/|title=Carson Hocevar Joins Niece Motorsports for Partial Schedule in 2020|work=Niece Motorsports|date=December 20, 2019|accessdate=December 20, 2019}}

On September 24, 2020, Hocevar and Niece announced a full-season schedule in 2021.{{cite web |last1=Kristl |first1=Mark |title=Carson Hocevar Joining Niece Full Time for 2021 |url=https://www.frontstretch.com/2020/09/24/carson-hocevar-joining-niece-full-time-for-2021/ |website=Frontstretch |accessdate=September 25, 2020 |date=September 24, 2020}} During the season, Hocevar would have a very successful rookie season nearly winning multiple races. He finished second at Charlotte and fourth at Las Vegas. He re-signed with Niece in 2022 and led the most laps of the Spring Vegas race until he was turned with 36 to go.

On June 4, 2022, Hocevar broke his right tibia at the ankle during the final lap of the Gateway race when his truck was T-boned by Tyler Hill.{{cite web |url=https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2022/06/08/camping-world-truck-series-2022-carson-hocevar-injury-update/ |title=Carson Hocevar will attempt to start Saturday's Truck race at Sonoma |website=NASCAR.com |publisher=NASCAR Digital Media, LLC |date=June 8, 2022 |access-date=June 10, 2022}} He underwent surgery prior to the Sonoma race.{{cite web |url=https://www.jayski.com/2022/06/10/carson-hocevar-had-surgery-on-right-tibia-cleared-to-practice-at-sonoma/ |title=Carson Hocevar Had Surgery on Right Tibia, Cleared to Practice at Sonoma |website=Jayski's Silly Season Site |publisher=NASCAR Digital Media, LLC |date=June 10, 2022 |access-date=June 11, 2022}} Hocevar took the pole position before wrecking in turn 10.{{cite web |url=https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2022/06/11/camping-world-truck-series-2022-sonoma-pole-qualifying-carson-hocevar/ |title=Carson Hocevar secures Camping World Trucks pole at Sonoma, crashes |website=NASCAR.com |publisher=NASCAR Digital Media, LLC |date=June 11, 2022 |access-date=June 12, 2022}} On lap 11, he was relieved by Daniel Suárez, who took the No. 42 to a sixth-place finish.{{cite web |url=https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2022/06/11/results-camping-world-truck-series-2022-sonoma-race-recap/ |title=Kyle Busch wins Truck Series race at Sonoma Raceway |website=NASCAR.com |publisher=NASCAR Digital Media, LLC |date=June 11, 2022 |access-date=June 12, 2022}}

Hocevar started the 2023 season with a 12th-place finish at Daytona. He scored his first career win at Texas in double-overtime after race leader Nick Sanchez made contact with Zane Smith on the final lap and Hocevar unintentionally spun Sanchez from behind.{{cite web |url=https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2023/04/01/truck-series-2023-texas-motor-speedway-recap/ |title=Carson Hocevar finds magic in NASCAR Overtime, wins at Texas |first=Holly |last=Cain |website=NASCAR |date=April 1, 2023 |access-date=April 2, 2023}} Hocevar also scored wins at Nashville and Richmond.{{cite web |url=https://www.jayski.com/2023/06/23/carson-hocevar-powers-to-second-craftsman-truck-series-win-of-the-season/ |title=Carson Hocevar powers to second CRAFTSMAN Truck Series win of the season |website=Jayski's Silly Season Site |publisher=NASCAR Digital Media |date=June 23, 2023 |access-date=June 25, 2023}}{{cite web |url=https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2023/07/29/truck-series-richmond-recap-2023/ |title=Hocever uses late pass to win Truck regular-season finale at Richmond |first=Holly |last=Cain |website=NASCAR |date=July 29, 2023 |access-date=July 30, 2023}} He won at Homestead to make the Championship 4.{{cite web |url=https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2023/10/21/craftsman-truck-series-2023-playoffs-homestead-miami-race-recap/ |title=Carson Hocevar converts Homestead win, joins Rhodes, Heim, Enfinger in Championship 4 field |first=Holly |last=Cain |website=NASCAR |date=October 21, 2023 |access-date=October 22, 2023}} During the race, he spun out Corey Heim, which also collected Stewart Friesen. After that, Heim retaliated on Hocevar so he finished 29th. After Heim slammed him on the turn 4 wall in retaliation for spinning him earlier in the race; he also finished fourth in the final points standings.{{cite web |url=https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2023/11/04/ben-rhodes-becomes-fifth-driver-to-win-multiple-truck-series-championships/ |title=Ben Rhodes becomes fifth driver to win multiple Truck Series championships |first=Dustin |last=Albino |website=NASCAR |date=November 3, 2023 |access-date=November 4, 2023}} After NASCAR penalized Heim 25 driver points for intentionally wrecking him, Hocevar was credited with a third-place points finish.

On April 18, 2025, it was announced that Hocevar would drive part-time for Spire Motorsports in their No. 7 truck in four races.{{cite web |url=https://frontstretch.com/2025/04/18/carson-hocevar-making-4-truck-starts-with-spire/ |title=Carson Hocevar Making 4 Truck Starts With Spire |last=Ell |first=Tristan |website=Frontstretch |date=April 18, 2025 |access-date=April 18, 2025}} In his second start with Spire, he would earn his fifth-career win at Kansas.{{cite web |url=https://www.jayski.com/2025/05/10/carson-hocevar-wins-rugged-nascar-craftsman-truck-series-race-at-kansas/ |title=Carson Hocevar wins rugged NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race at Kansas |website=Jayski's Silly Season Site |publisher=NASCAR Digital Media |date=May 10, 2025 |access-date=May 11, 2025}}

File:2023 Tennessee Lottery 250 - Hocevar leaves the race.jpg

On March 7, 2023, Spire Motorsports announced that they will expand their racing operations to the NASCAR Xfinity Series, with Hocevar running six races in their No. 77 car, making his debut in the series at Circuit of the Americas in the No. 07 for SS-Green Light Racing before suffering a brake failure leading to a 36th-place finish.{{cite web |last=Srigley |first=Joseph |date=March 7, 2023 |title=Carson Hocevar Running Six Xfinity Series Races in Newly-Formed Spire Motorsports No. 77 |url=https://tobychristie.com/2023/03/07/carson-hocevar-running-six-xfinity-series-races-in-newly-formed-spire-motorsports-no-77/ |access-date=March 7, 2023 |website=TobyChristie.com}} He was initially on the entry list for the race at Dover Motor Speedway, but was withdrawn due to the weather providing the risk of qualifying being canceled. His debut with the team was thus scheduled for the next race at Darlington Raceway. He would finish 6th at Darlington and 8th at Charlotte Motor Speedway but would DNF at Nashville Superspeedway.

On February 24, 2025, it was announced that Hocevar would drive for SS-Green Light Racing with BRK Racing, replacing Garrett Smithley at COTA.{{Cite web |title=2025 Focused Health 250 (COTA) Entry List |url=https://www.jayski.com/xfinity-series/2025-cota-xfinity-series-entry-list/|website=Jayski's Silly Season Site |publisher=NASCAR Digital Media |access-date=February 24, 2025}} He was involved in an early wreck, earning a 38th place DNF.

file:Carson Hocevar (53337055086) (cropped).jpg

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 after Spire's full-time driver Corey LaJoie would fill in the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy while HMS driver Chase Elliott served a one-race suspension.{{cite web |title=Carson Hocevar To Make Cup Series Debut At Gateway This Weekend |url=https://www.rotoballer.com/player-news/carson-hocevar-to-make-cup-series-debut-at-gateway-this-weekend/1183549 |access-date=May 30, 2023 |website=www.rotoballer.com |language=en-US}} He finished in 36th place after suffering a brake rotor explosion going into turn 1 in the second stage on lap 91 while running in 16th place. Hocevar drove the Legacy Motor Club No. 42 (originally driven by Noah Gragson, then by Josh Berry and Mike Rockenfeller on road courses after Gragson was suspended prior to the Michigan race) to a 17th place finish at Darlington.{{cite web |url=https://www.nascar.com/results/racecenter/2023/nascar-cup-series/darlington-raceway-2/stn/results/ |title=Cook Out Southern 500 Race Results |website=NASCAR |date=September 3, 2023 |access-date=September 4, 2023}} He then scored a career-best 11th place finish at the Bristol night race.{{cite web |url=https://www.jayski.com/2023/09/22/carson-hocevar-is-fitting-in-perfectly-at-cup-series-level/ |title=Carson Hocevar is fitting in perfectly at Cup Series level |first=Dustin |last=Albino |website=Jayski's Silly Season Site |publisher=NASCAR Digital Media |date=September 22, 2023 |access-date=September 23, 2023}}{{cite web |url=https://www.nascar.com/results/racecenter/2023/nascar-cup-series/bristol-motor-speedway-2/ |title=Bass Pro Shops Night Race Results |website=NASCAR |date=September 16, 2023 |access-date=September 22, 2023}} On October 4, Hocevar was signed to drive the No. 42 for the remainder of the season,{{cite web |url=https://www.jayski.com/2023/10/04/carson-hocevar-to-run-final-for-cup-races-for-legacy-motor-club/ |title=Carson Hocevar to run final four Cup races for Legacy Motor Club |website=Jayski's Silly Season Site |publisher=NASCAR Digital Media |date=October 4, 2023 |access-date=October 5, 2023}} except at Homestead-Miami where the team's 2024 driver John Hunter Nemechek drove in the No. 42 car instead.

File:Carson Hocevar 77 Las Vegas 2024.jpg in 2024]]

On October 10, 2023, Hocevar announced on NASCAR Race Hub that he will bypass the Xfinity Series to join Spire Motorsports in the Cup Series full-time for the 2024 season, driving the No. 77 car under a multi-year deal.{{cite web |url=https://www.spire-motorsports.com/2023/10/10/spire-motorsports-carson-hocevar-multi-year-contract-2024/ |title=Spire Motorsports, Carson Hocevar Agree to Multi-Year Contract |publisher=Spire Motorsports |date=October 10, 2023 |access-date=October 11, 2023}}{{cite web |date=October 10, 2023 |title=Carson Hocevar to drive No. 77 for Spire Motorsports next season |url=https://www.jayski.com/2023/10/10/carson-hocevar-to-drive-no-77-for-spire-motorsports-next-season/ |access-date=October 10, 2023 |website=Jayski's Silly Season Site |publisher=NASCAR Digital Media}} Hocevar started the season with a 40th place DNF at the 2024 Daytona 500. He scored his first career top-10 finish at Texas. At Nashville, Hocevar spun out Harrison Burton during a caution lap; as a result, he was fined {{USD}}50,000 and docked 25 driver points.{{cite web |url=https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2024/07/02/carson-hocevar-two-truck-series-teams-issued-penalties/ |title=Penalty report: Carson Hocevar, No. 77 team issued loss of 25 driver points; two Truck Series teams fined for lug nut infractions |website=NASCAR |date=July 2, 2024 |access-date=July 3, 2024}} At Richmond Hocevar would score his third top-10 finish of the season, tying his best finish of eighth. In qualifying for the regular season finale at Darlington, Hocevar put the 77 car on the front row, qualifying second. It was the best starting spot for Spire Motorsports in the team's history, along with Hocevar's best starting spot for his own Cup career.{{cite web|last=DeGroot|first=Nick|title=Southern 500: Bubba Wallace beats Hocevar to pole in dramatic session|url=https://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/bubba-wallace-beats-hocevar-to-pole-in-stunning-darlington-qualifying/10649965/|website=Motorsport.com|publisher=Motorsport Network|access-date=August 31, 2024|location=Darlington, South Carolina|date=August 31, 2024}} Unfortunately, Hocevar would crash on Lap 335 and would DNF in 33rd place. At Watkins Glen on September 15, Hocevar once again eclipsed his best career NCS finish for the third time in 2024 with a third place finish, leading a triple top 10 for Spire Motorsports and even contending for the win in the final restarts. At the end of the season, he won the NASCAR Rookie of the Year honors.{{cite web |url=https://www.jayski.com/2024/11/10/carson-hocevar-earns-nascar-cup-series-rookie-of-the-year/ |title=Carson Hocevar earns NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year |website=Jayski's Silly Season Site |publisher=NASCAR Digital Media |date=November 10, 2024 |access-date=November 12, 2024}}

File:Carson Hocevar 77 Las Vegas 2025.jpg in 2025]]

Hocevar started the 2025 season with a 30th place DNF at the 2025 Daytona 500. The following week at Atlanta, Hocevar once again eclipsed his best career NCS finish for the fourth time in his career with a second place in a close, controversial finish. He was behind Christopher Bell and ahead Kyle Larson at the time of caution coming to the checkered flag during an overtime restart.{{cite web |url=https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2025/02/23/results-cup-series-2025-atlanta-motor-speedway-feb-race-recap/|title=Christopher Bell holds off Hocevar, Larson in overtime for Atlanta win |website=NASCAR|date=February 23, 2025|access-date=February 23, 2025}} At Texas, he would earn his first career Cup Series pole. Once again at Nashville, Hocevar eclipsed his best-finish after Ryan Blaney beat him.

Hocevar has also run in Midgets, Micro Sprints, and Dirt Super Late Models on a part-time basis in addition to his full-time rides since 2015.

As a kid, Hocevar, while racing Quarter Midgets, was around many notable drivers due to his dad, Scott, who was a crew member as well as a sponsor for various local teams, and through this Carson was mentored heavily by Bryan Clauson, whom Scott Hocevar was a crew member for.{{cite web|title=Carson Hocevar to Pay Tribute to Bryan Clauson in Pinty's Truck Race on Dirt|url=https://speedwaydigest.com/index.php/news/nascar-truck-series-news/61426-carson-hocevar-to-pay-tribute-to-bryan-clauson-in-pinty-s-truck-race-on-dirt/amp|access-date=May 30, 2023|website=www.speedwaydigest.com|date=March 8, 2013 |language=en-US}} Later he would also be mentored by Johnny Benson who was sponsored by Carson's dad which let Carson have the opportunity to turn wrenches for him on Benson's racecars and later also drive for him in his Outlaw Late Model program.{{cite web|title= Rising racing star Carson Hocevar, 12, has friends in high places, including two-time NASCAR champ Johnny Benson|url= https://www.mlive.com/autoracing/2015/05/two-time_nascar_champ_johnny_b.html|access-date=May 30, 2023|website=www.mlive.com|date=May 12, 2015|language=en-US}}

Hocevar is the son of Scott and Amy Hocevar. He graduated from Gull Lake High School in 2021.

Hocevar was in a relationship with Super Late Model driver Peyton Lanphear. In May 2022, Lanphear was diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin lymphoma; she would go into remission in December of that year.{{cite web|title=Carson Hocevar Girlfriend Peyton Lanphear Is A Racer And Cancer Survivor|url=https://playersbio.com/carson-hocevar-girlfriend-peyton-lanphear-is-a-racer-and-cancer-survivor/#google_vignette|access-date=August 21, 2023|website=www.playersbio.com|date=May 30, 2023 |language=en-US}}

^† As Hocevar was running for points in the Truck Series, he was ineligible for championship points in the Cup and Xfinity Series.

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

{{sup|*}} Season still in progress

{{sup|1}} Ineligible for series points

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Carson Hocevar}}

• {{official website|carsonhocevar.com/}}
• [https://www.spire-motorsports.com/meet-the-team-no-77-cup-series-team/ Official profile at Spire Motorsports]
• {{Racing-Reference driver|Carson_Hocevar}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Hocevar, Carson}}

Category:2003 births

Category:Living people

Category:NASCAR drivers

Category:ARCA Menards Series drivers

Category:Racing drivers from Michigan

Category:People from Portage, Michigan

Category:ARCA Midwest Tour drivers

Category:21st-century American sportsmen