During the Great American Getaway 400 at Pocono Raceway on June 22, Carson Hocevar stunned fans with an exceptional restart, surging from 19th place to 5th within just two laps. The 22-year-old Spire Motorsports driver’s performance quickly went viral, highlighting his skill and determination during a pivotal moment in the race. This Carson Hocevar electric Pocono restart became one of the weekend’s most talked-about highlights.
Hocevar had initially qualified third, trailing behind pole sitter Denny Hamlin and Chris Buescher. He maintained a strong position early on, starting the second stage in second place. However, when Bubba Wallace of 23XI Racing experienced a brake failure, the resulting caution caused Hocevar to fall back to 19th on Lap 61. What followed after the caution captured the attention of spectators and commentators alike.
Fan Reactions Highlight the Impressive Nature of the Restart
Social media and race viewers were quick to praise Hocevar’s skillful maneuvering during the restart, describing it as extraordinary. One fan remarked,
“One of the best restarts I’ve ever seen,”
while another added, “That’s next level dude.” Additional comments compared the speed and precision to a video game, with one viewer writing, “Video game lap lol.”
Though Hocevar’s pace slowed somewhat toward the end of Stage 2, the excitement generated by his rapid ascent through the field remained strong among fans. One enthusiastic viewer shared,
“I had to pause the race after this restart and pull this up on MAX bc I had no idea how you went from 19th to 6th in a lap and a half…. bravo sir,”
while another praised the driver’s consistency, saying,
“Damn, what a restart and what a lap! You guys keep bringing speed and the wins will follow. Great job bud.”
Despite the incredible restart, Hocevar was ultimately flagged for a restart violation and finished the race in 18th place, limiting the overall impact of his comeback during the event.
Hocevar’s Early Incident and Noted Save at Pocono
The race also featured a tense moment for Hocevar earlier on Lap 19, when he spun out in Turn 3 and struck the wall, deploying the roof flaps on his No. 77 Chevy. Broadcaster Dale Earnhardt Jr. praised the incident as possibly the year’s best save, emphasizing its difficulty and importance in keeping Hocevar in the race.
“That is the best save of the year. I think it’s got to be a contender,” —Dale Earnhardt Jr., Broadcaster
Hocevar’s performance at Pocono came after a period of struggle; following a podium finish at Nashville, he experienced disappointing results in Michigan and Mexico, finishing 29th and 34th respectively. Compounding his challenges, Hocevar faced a $50,000 fine from Spire Motorsports due to comments made about Mexico City, adding pressure in an already demanding season.
Upcoming Challenges and Hocevar’s Prospects Ahead
The NASCAR Cup Series now shifts focus to Atlanta for the 17th race of the 2025 season, the Quaker State 400. This 260-lap event marks the beginning of the in-season challenge, featuring a $1 million prize and broadcast on TNT. Hocevar has shown potential on the 1.54-mile Georgia oval, having secured a second-place finish in the spring race, which remains his sole top-10 result in three starts at this venue.
This event represents a critical opportunity for Hocevar to regain momentum and secure a strong finish after recent setbacks. His Pocono restart demonstrated his capabilities under pressure, but consistency will be key moving forward in his pursuit of better race outcomes and points in the NASCAR Cup Series standings.
