Carson Hocevar delivered an impressive drive at Nashville, moving from a 26th-place start up to second position by the race’s conclusion. His charge was marked by a contentious incident involving Ricky Stenhouse Jr., which effectively ended Stenhouse’s day and sparked frustration from the No. 47 Chevrolet driver.
Despite the mid-race drama, Hocevar steadily progressed, climbing into seventh place by the close of the second stage. During the final round of green-flag pit stops, the No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet executed a strong undercut strategy that vaulted him into second place on the track.
Challenges in Closing Out the Victory
Once in second, Hocevar started to narrow the gap to winner Ryan Blaney, but he eventually encountered heavy traffic that slowed his momentum. The race ended with Hocevar securing his second runner-up spot of the year, following a similar near-win at Atlanta. In spite of 59 career starts, Hocevar is still seeking his first NASCAR Cup victory.
It just proves how strong this group is to go from the disappointment last week to having a really bad qualify draw, qualifying really bad and sticking through it and having a shot. A shot, like a straightaway,
said Hocevar, referring to the recent Coca-Cola 600 where mechanical failure dashed his chances while leading.
Team Effort and Future Prospects
Hocevar praised the collective work of his team, including Ziegler Auto Group and others contributing to the car’s performance. He noted the improvement the group has achieved compared to past results.
But just proud of this group, Ziegler Auto Group, everybody that puts [something] into this race car,
Hocevar continued.
They deserve good finishes. I think our average with this car is like 38th (with that sponsor). So it’s a big upgrade.
He admitted to showing visible frustration over the radio during the race, a reflection of his intense effort and desire to find an edge that ultimately wasn’t there.
I was probably being a lot more vocal on the radio than I needed to be, but you’re just trying so hard and trying to find something that is just not there. One spot short again, which is — at least hopefully this is a step in the right direction.
What This Means for Hocevar’s NASCAR Career
This strong second-place finish at Nashville once again underlines Hocevar’s potential as a competitive driver in the NASCAR Cup Series. While the missed opportunities continue to be a source of frustration, the improvements in race pace and strategy show promise for eventual breakthroughs. The race’s impact on Hocevar’s career trajectory highlights his persistence and the growing strength of Spire Motorsports Chevrolet partnerships, including support from Ziegler Auto Group.
With continued effort and refinement, Hocevar looks poised to convert his promising runs into a first career win, potentially altering the narrative of his NASCAR Cup efforts in upcoming events.
