NASCAR is considering allowing more participation of Cup Series drivers in the Xfinity Series and the Craftsman Truck Series, a move that has sparked varied responses among drivers. This discussion gained attention recently, with Spire Motorsports driver Carson Hocevar sharing his views during an appearance at the World Wide Technology Raceway last weekend.
Assessing Performance Against Cup Series Competitors
Kyle Busch, an established Cup Series driver, recently commented on the way he evaluates whether a driver in the lower series is ready for the Cup level—by watching how they compete against Cup drivers who enter those races. Hocevar was asked if he uses a similar approach to measure his own performance when Cup drivers race alongside him in the Truck Series.
Hocevar responded,
“Yeah, I mean, I think any time you’re racing a Cup driver in Trucks or Xfinity, you know ultimately their owners are watching that and that’s how they really grade it.”
His remarks highlight the importance of competing directly with Cup drivers as a benchmark for talent evaluation.
Winning Against Cup Drivers Adds Value to Lower Series Success
The No. 77 Chevrolet driver explained that victories with Cup drivers on the track carry more weight than wins in their absence. Drawing from his own experience, Hocevar said,
“You know, I’m here because I got to go join the Cup field and race against them; got thrown to the deep end and I didn’t sink right away,”
affirming that racing against top-tier drivers helped prepare him for advancement.
He also emphasized the missed opportunities if Cup drivers were kept out entirely, stating,
“So yeah, I think that’s the biggest thing is if I never got that shot, I would just be hoping Cup guys would come run Trucks and maybe I can outrun them.”
Hocevar recalled a significant moment when he secured the pole position at Sonoma Raceway as a Truck Series driver, a feat made more meaningful because four Cup drivers were competing directly behind him. Such experiences serve as crucial confidence boosts for emerging drivers in the lower tiers.
Kenny Wallace Supports Increased Integration with Cup Drivers
Former driver Kenny Wallace has also voiced support for easing restrictions on Cup drivers competing in the lower series. Wallace expressed concern that current limits prevent rising stars from racing against the best talent. He said,
“They don’t have an opportunity now to outrun the best,”
and added,
“They don’t have an opportunity to outrun the Cup drivers. So, although it seemed like this grand idea, what it’s done now is it has dumbed down the Xfinity Series and the Truck Series.”
Implications of Allowing More Cup Drivers in Lower Series
Granting Cup Series drivers increased access to the Xfinity and Truck Series is widely seen as beneficial, providing younger drivers with better opportunities to measure themselves against top competition. This could improve driver development, increase fan interest, and raise the overall competitiveness of all NASCAR tiers. As discussions advance, NASCAR’s decision will likely shape how talent progresses through the ranks and how the sport evolves at multiple levels.
