Carson Hocevar, driver for Spire Motorsports in the NASCAR Cup Series, reflected on the unforgettable finish at Atlanta Motor Speedway in 2024, anticipating another intense race conclusion. The 2024 Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta featured a historic three-wide photo finish that energized fans and competitors alike.
The February 2024 race at Atlanta Motor Speedway became famous for one of NASCAR’s closest finishes. Daniel Suarez, driving the No. 99 Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing, narrowly beat Ryan Blaney and Kyle Busch by mere thousandths of a second in a three-wide sprint to the checkered flag. Suarez won by 0.003 seconds over Blaney, who was just 0.004 seconds ahead of Busch.
This finish ranks as the fourth closest in NASCAR history and showcased the thrilling effects of Atlanta’s 1.54-mile quad-oval combined with Superspeedway-style pack racing. This style encouraged frequent lead changes, intense battles, and a dramatic climax.
Carson Hocevar shared his excitement for the upcoming Atlanta race by posting a photo from the dramatic 2024 finish accompanied by Radiohead’s Everything in Its Right Place, captioned simply “Tomorrow,” signaling his expectation of another close contest. Hocevar, who began his full-time Cup Series career in 2024 and earned the NASCAR Rookie of the Year award, is currently positioned 20th in the 2025 standings after 16 races, with two top-five finishes and three top-10s.
Hocevar’s Remarkable Recovery at Pocono Draws High Praise
Earlier this season, Hocevar gained significant attention for an impressive recovery during the Great American Getaway 400 at Pocono Raceway. On lap 19, he lost control as his car’s rear end slid sideways, causing him to clip the outside wall and deploy the roof flaps, a key safety feature.
Despite the harsh impact and potential for a crash, Hocevar managed to regain control and keep his No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet on track, narrowly avoiding a race-ending incident. His ability to save the car amid such adversity drew respect from fans and analysts.
“Just a really, really huge slide contact with the right rear. That is the best save of the year. I think it’s got to be a contender. I mean, I know the wall straight him out, but seriously, man, this car is wrecked,” he said via X/Sports on Prime.—Dale Earnhardt Jr., Commentator
Dale Earnhardt Jr., providing commentary during the race, emphasized the difficulty of Hocevar’s recovery. He noted that even though the wall helped straighten the vehicle, the save was extraordinary considering the slide’s severity and damage sustained.
What Hocevar’s Outlook Means for Upcoming NASCAR Events
Carson Hocevar’s confident anticipation of another tight finish at Atlanta highlights the competitive nature of NASCAR’s current season and the rising talents within the Cup Series. His reflections on the 2024 race and notable performances this season suggest that fans can expect more edge-of-the-seat moments as racing strategies and pack dynamics continue to evolve.
With Hocevar building momentum through consistent finishes and remarkable racecraft—especially with his ability to recover from critical situations—his presence adds excitement and unpredictability to upcoming events. As the NASCAR season progresses, drivers like Hocevar and established contenders such as Daniel Suarez, Ryan Blaney, and Kyle Busch keep the field highly competitive heading into future races at renowned tracks like Atlanta and Pocono.
