Carson Hocevar delivered a notably clean performance at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sunday, September 21, earning commendation for avoiding on-track incidents during the NASCAR Cup Series playoff event. The No. 77 driver, currently competing for Spire Motorsports in his sophomore season, showed composure in a race that demanded both skill and restraint.
Although Hocevar is known for having intense rivalries with fellow drivers such as Ryan Blaney, Ross Chastain, and Ricky Stenhouse Jr., the playoff race at New Hampshire stood out for his ability to maintain distance from conflicts. Blaney ultimately won the race, his third victory of the 2025 season, while Hocevar finished in eleventh place, a solid position without causing disruptions.
Recognition for a Collision-Free Performance
Tommy Baldwin, a respected figure within NASCAR, openly praised Hocevar during a recent episode of the Door Bumper Clear podcast hosted by Freddie Kraft and Karsyn Elledge. Baldwin emphasized Hocevar’s maturity on the track, noting that the young driver managed to avoid wrecks and remained competitive throughout the event.
“I’m gonna hate saying this, but kudos to the 77 yesterday,” Baldwin said (26:30). “I hate I’m saying this, but I watched…I had, you know, where we were pitted, did a good job. He didn’t run into anybody. He had a clean day. He ran in the top 10 all day because he didn’t run into anybody and hurt his car.”
Baldwin also highlighted Hocevar’s mental focus in the race, a contrast to moments when he has previously “short circuited” under pressure.
“It’s just…the kid gets… he short circuits there, but he didn’t yesterday.”
Current Standings and Upcoming Challenges
Despite the positive feedback, Hocevar did not qualify for this year’s playoffs, yet he remains eager to secure his first NASCAR Cup Series win. Currently ranked 21st in the standings, Hocevar has earned eight top-10 finishes and two top-5s while accumulating 616 points over the season. His consistency and clean racing underline his potential for future success.
The next key event for Hocevar is the Hollywood Casino 400 Presented by ESPN Bet at Kansas Speedway, scheduled for Sunday, September 28. The race will be broadcast live on USA Network starting at 3 p.m. ET, with radio coverage provided by MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. This event offers another opportunity for Hocevar to demonstrate his racing skill, building on the momentum from New Hampshire.
Controversy During NASCAR’s Mexico City Debut
Earlier in the season, Hocevar was involved in a controversy following NASCAR’s return to Mexico City for the first time in 25 years. At the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in June, Hocevar made disparaging remarks about the city during a livestream, referring to Mexico as a “sh**hole.”
Spire Motorsports took decisive action by fining him $50,000, donating the amount to local non-profit organizations as a gesture of goodwill. Hocevar subsequently issued a statement addressing the incident, clarifying his comments were not based on firsthand experience but rather influenced by others’ opinions.
“The issue wasn’t for the team having their kind of frustrations, not that I’m giving my opinion and putting it out there,” Carson Hocevar said in a statement. “It’s just the fact that, you know, my opinion wasn’t my opinion. It was just based off everybody else, you know, that I’ve heard or seen, right? I didn’t go do my own homework and voice my own opinion.”
The Mexico City race was won by Shane van Gisbergen, marking his fourth victory of the season. Van Gisbergen advanced to the playoffs but was eliminated in the initial round. Meanwhile, all attention has shifted to the upcoming Kansas Speedway race, where drivers will continue to fight for playoff positioning.
