Carson Hocevar raced from 26th place to finish second at the Nashville NASCAR event, continuing his pursuit of a first career victory. His drive was marked by aggressive moves, including contact with Ricky Stenhouse Jr., which ended Stenhouse’s race and sparked controversy on track.
Strong Recovery and Strategic Pit Stops Propel Hocevar Forward
Despite starting deep in the field, Hocevar climbed into the top ten by the end of the second stage and executed a well-timed undercut during the final round of green-flag pit stops. This strategy vaulted his No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet into second place, giving him a chance to chase down eventual winner Ryan Blaney.
Hocevar narrowed the gap behind Blaney but was slowed by heavy traffic, preventing him from mounting a serious challenge in the closing laps. He ultimately completed the race with his second runner-up finish of the season after previously finishing second at Atlanta.
Hocevar Reflects on Team Effort and Near-Win Frustrations
Speaking about the race and his overall season, Hocevar emphasized the resilience of his team and the progress they are making despite setbacks.
It just proves how strong this group is to go from the disappointment last week to having a really bad qualify draw, qualifying really bad and sticking through it and having a shot. A shot, like a straightaway,
—Carson Hocevar, NASCAR driver
This comment referred to a recent race at the Coca-Cola 600, where Hocevar was competitive before an engine failure dashed his chances while leading mid-race.
Hocevar also praised his sponsors and team members for their contributions to the improved performance.
But just proud of this group, Ziegler Auto Group, everybody that puts [something] into this race car,
—Carson Hocevar, NASCAR driver
He added,
I was probably being a lot more vocal on the radio than I needed to be, but you’re just trying so hard and trying to find something that is just not there. One spot short again, which is — at least hopefully this is a step in the right direction.
—Carson Hocevar, NASCAR driver
The Significance of Another Close Finish in Hocevar’s Career
Hocevar’s second runner-up finish of the season highlights his emergence as a consistent contender, although a first career victory still eludes him after 59 starts. His ability to charge through the field and contend with top drivers like Ryan Blaney reflects both his skill and the growing strength of Spire Motorsports.
With continued team support from sponsors like Ziegler Auto Group and refined race strategies, Hocevar remains on track to break through for his inaugural win in the near future.