During the Viva Mexico 250 NASCAR Cup Series race on June 15 at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Carson Hocevar expressed intense frustration with his car’s performance. The #77 Spire Motorsports driver, competing under new sponsorship from Mexico’s Totalplay, reported severe handling difficulties, underscoring Carson Hocevar struggles with handling issues in NASCAR amid a challenging event outside the United States.
Hocevar Faces Tough Handling Problems at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
The Viva Mexico 250 marked a historic NASCAR event with its 17-turn, high-altitude road course, attracting international attention as the first points race outside the U.S. since 1958. Hocevar, optimistic about competing on this demanding layout, encountered persistent handling problems that hampered his performance. At one point, while still leading the international field, Hocevar’s frustrations boiled over during radio communications with his crew.
Veteran NASCAR journalist Jeff Gluck shared Hocevar’s candid remarks from the race broadcast, capturing the driver’s disappointment:
“”It drives like the biggest shitbox I’ve ever drove in my life,” Carson Hocevar says.”
—Jeff Gluck, NASCAR reporter
The comment highlighted the severity of the car’s issues from Hocevar’s perspective, reflecting the technical struggles he faced during the event. Despite the adversity, the young driver remained focused on pushing through a difficult race day.
Background on Hocevar’s Rising NASCAR Career and 2025 Season Performance
Carson Hocevar has quickly become a notable figure within NASCAR as a rising talent, having earned Rookie of the Year honors in 2024. With his #77 Spire Motorsports team, he has demonstrated speed and promise this season, earning one pole position, along with two top-five and three top-ten finishes across 15 Cup starts. Nevertheless, challenges remain evident, as Hocevar has also experienced four DNFs in the 2025 season so far.
Disappointing Finish at Michigan Foreshadows Ongoing Challenges
Just one week before the Mexico race, Hocevar faced a heartbreaking outcome at Michigan International Speedway during the FireKeepers Casino 400 on June 8. Starting 14th, he impressively advanced into the top ten and finished Stage 2 in third position. In the closing laps, Hocevar even led the race but suffered a flat left-rear tire, forcing a pit stop and relegating him to 29th place.
Reflecting on the setback with NBC Sports, Hocevar compared the experience to difficult moments from his earlier Truck Series career while acknowledging the heightened pressure of competing at the Cup level:
“It’s just like (reliving) the Truck days. But you’re doing it in front of a big stage. The difference is I felt like I was throwing them away. Now, they’re getting taken away … things out of our control.”
—Carson Hocevar, NASCAR driver
“Two days in a row with a flat LR leading.. today is a little more disappointing. thankful to be upfront all weekend at home. headed home with our heads held high.”
—Carson Hocevar, NASCAR driver
This tough weekend at his home track underscored the difficult season Hocevar is enduring, combining moments of strong performance with frustrating misfortune beyond his control.
Implications for Hocevar and the #77 Spire Motorsports Team Moving Forward
Carson Hocevar’s struggles with handling issues in NASCAR during the Viva Mexico 250 reflect the ongoing technical and strategic challenges faced by the #77 Spire Motorsports team. While Hocevar has shown the ability to compete at a high level, the recurring equipment and race-day obstacles have impacted his consistency and results.
As the season progresses, addressing these vehicle performance problems will be critical for Hocevar to convert his potential into stronger finishes. His candid criticism of the car’s drivability highlights the urgency within the team to find solutions that enhance competitiveness on varied tracks, including demanding road courses like Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.