Yahoo Autos Hocevar gets 2024 NASCAR Cup Series call-up with Spire
Carson Hocevar will move into the NASCAR Cup Series in 2024 with a multi-year deal to drive the No. 77 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports.
Hocevar announced his new deal on Tuesday night on ‘NASCAR Race Hub’ on Fox Sports 1. He will replace Ty Dillon.
“I mean, anybody in my position wants to be a Cup Series driver,” said Hocevar. “That’s what you dream about when you’re young. You want to race on Sundays. So, my opportunity to run a few times this year, to run on Sunday and get ready, I feel more than prepared to get in the No. 77 car with Spire. That team is growing exponentially and I’m just excited for everything.
“I have a unique opportunity to build something and grow with it, while growing myself at the same time. For what we’ve been able to do from the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series to Cup is pretty crazy. I know it seems like a big jump. With all the tools and resources, and everybody at Spire Motorsports, they have put a lot of faith in me, and I have a lot of faith in them. We all have faith in the whole program. I feel like we can come out of the gate like we’ve done this for years.”
The 20-year-old will make the transition after three seasons in the Craftsman Truck Series with Niece Motorsports. Hocevar, who is still eligible for the championship in the Round of 8, has three career wins. All have come this season.
Hocevar has also been getting Cup Series experience this season. In June, he drove the No. 7 for Spire Motorsports when Corey LaJoie was loaned to Hendrick Motorsports to substitute for the suspended Chase Elliott at World Wide Technology Raceway. He finished 36th in his debut due to a mechanical failure after running in the top 20 throughout the afternoon.
Legacy Motor Club has used Hocevar as its interim driver in the No. 42 Chevrolet since Darlington Raceway last month. Hocevar has four top-20 finishes in five starts with the team, earning a career-best finish of 11th at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Hocevar will remain in the car for the final four races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Martinsville Speedway and the finale at Phoenix Raceway. Mike Rockenfeller drove the car last weekend at the Charlotte Roval.
Hocevar has also made five Xfinity Series starts this season. A sixth-place finish at Darlington Raceway in the spring is his best finish.
The Michigan native made his first NASCAR national series start in 2019. He will be teammates with LaJoie and Zane Smith.
“Carson Hocevar is a proven winner and excels with every opportunity,” said Spire Motorsports co-owner Jeff Dickerson. “He’s an undeniable talent and reminds me a lot of a young Kyle Busch and Brad Keselowski. We’re thrilled to have him join the Spire Motorsports family and help us continue to raise our competitive bar. Carson has driven the wheels off everything he’s ever raced, and done more with less on multiple occasions. He has a knack for getting the most out of his equipment and that speaks directly to his desire behind the wheel. His attitude is infectious and he’s the kind of guy who’s just fun to be around. We think he’ll complement Corey and Zane [Smith] very well.
“We’re also very grateful to Ty Dillon for everything he’s done for our organization and the No. 77 team, in particular. Ty came to Spire Motorsports after the 2022 season and has put his best foot forward. He’s done everything we’ve asked of him. We know he’ll land with a top-flight race team and wish him the very best.”
