Carson Hocevar, who drives the No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet, spoke with reporters on February 28, 2026, at the Circuit of The Americas about the upcoming NASCAR Cup Series race. With this being the third points-paying event of the 2026 season, Hocevar reflected on how the revised enforcement of track limits and new barriers at COTA will affect his approach and performance.
Addressing the recent changes to track boundaries, Hocevar explained how the physical presence of tire barriers makes it easier for drivers to understand the limits but increases risk.
“Yeah, I think it helps a little bit for the driver’s standpoint… now you have something to obviously hit, which is more risky. But the biggest thing is sometimes it’s hard to really 100% gauge because you want to be on the limit of the track limit, so it’s really difficult to judge at times,”
he said. He described how these barriers provide a clearer visual marker but also stressed the penalty for exceeding the limits remains severe, making precision crucial.
Preparation and Mindset for Road Course Challenges
Hocevar shared his mindset going into road course races, emphasizing consistency and minimizing errors.
“I would like to stay on the tarmac… that’s a big one. You know, just not make any mistakes; know the track limits, don’t hit the tire barrier and hurt my toe, right? Just start with there and race the racetrack,”
he said. His goal is to maximize points rather than chase a dramatic victory. Hocevar acknowledged that the focus is maintaining or gaining points to secure a better position for upcoming races, particularly with the metric qualifying system in mind.
He expressed that simply breaking even or gaining points over the weekend would be considered a success:
“If I can break even on points, I think that’s a win. If I gain points, that’s really, really above expectations. But the goal is just not to lose any points on the gap to the cut.”
Points Strategy and Stage Opportunities at COTA
When asked about his speed from the previous year’s race at COTA and the potential strategy this weekend, Hocevar highlighted the importance of capturing stage points and preserving track position.
“Yeah, for me, if there’s stage points available, I’d love to get it. Even if it’s like just two points, I just think it’s super important,”
he said, underlining the value of incremental scoring opportunities throughout the race.
Hocevar acknowledged that the chaotic nature of restarts at turn one can offer chances to improve position in the later stages. His objective remains to accumulate points steadily rather than making a desperate bid for victory, stating,
“If I could leave plus-29 points heading into Phoenix — whether I’m still fourth or seventh or whatever, if I’m still plus-29 points, I’d be really happy.”
Reflections on Comparisons to Dale Earnhardt and NASCAR Legends
Hocevar addressed media comparisons between himself and NASCAR icon Dale Earnhardt, noting that while he was not old enough to witness Earnhardt’s prime years, he has studied the history.
“Yeah, I’ve watched every documentary of every driver. I’ve watched the Dale documentaries, the Tim Richmond specials, Davey Allison, Alan Kulwicki. You know, I’ve watched it all, even as a kid,”
he explained.
He expressed gratitude for the comparisons made by notable figures such as Richard Petty, Kyle Petty, and Dale Earnhardt Jr., considering them a compliment rather than a burden.
“I would like to just have half the success any of those guys did. But I think we’re getting ready to get our cars in a really good spot to be able to be in position,”
Hocevar said.
Still grounded, Hocevar remarked,
“I’m just going in the merch hauler and signing 77 diecasts. You know, that’s me. Maybe in 20-30 years, somebody’s hopefully making comparisons of myself to the next kid that was doing it and running good.”
Influences on Driving Style and Adaptability
When questioned about which racing styles he has emulated from past drivers, Hocevar clarified that he combines elements from multiple influences rather than copying a single approach.
“Well, no, not really. I think if you’re building a perfect race car driver, I think you want to be able to emulate a bit of this guy, a bit of this guy, a bit of this guy,”
he stated.
He underlined that versatility and adaptability are essential in NASCAR because drivers face different competitors in various situations, especially during restarts.
“You have one restart and you have totally different guys than you’ve been racing around all day. You’re going to have to be able to change with them,”
Hocevar added.
Perspective on Career Development and Team Progress
Hocevar reflected on his growth since his rookie season, noting the progress of Spire Motorsports and the tightening competition among NASCAR teams. He acknowledged the challenges of consistently improving when other teams also evolve rapidly.
“So, yeah, I’m excited about it. I think we’re still really early here a little bit. I think we can do it,”
he said confidently.
He gave credit to his team’s effort to change perceptions by being competitive regularly.
“There’s been a lot of times we’ve been in contention and we’ve changed that narrative ourselves,”
Hocevar noted. He also emphasized how often this year he has been competitive near the front, reinforcing growing confidence in their capabilities.
Adjustments with Increased Horsepower on Road Courses
With the NASCAR vehicles now equipped with 750 horsepower on road courses, Hocevar anticipated handling and tire management would become more critical during the weekend’s race.
“I feel like tire wear is probably going to be a little bit more of an issue, or at least higher heat, which could have more comers and goers and probably reward the guys that can create speed without upsetting the tires,”
he explained.
He expects this might open up more overtaking opportunities, especially if drivers push too hard early on and wear out their tires.
“So, yeah, I think there could be opportunities for more passing if guys really burn up their stuff early,”
Hocevar concluded.
General Motors’ Role in Advancing Motorsports Technology
General Motors continues to lead automotive innovation by integrating cutting-edge technology into their lineup, including Chevrolet vehicles like the No. 77 driven by Hocevar. GM supports motorsports disciplines ranging from the Cadillac Formula 1® Team to Corvette customer teams competing in GT racing, IMSA, and FIA World Endurance Championships. These efforts accelerate advancements in performance, safety, and electrification across their brands.
By participating across various racing series, GM sharpens its technological development, which benefits production vehicles as it moves toward an all-electric future.
Anticipated Impact of the COTA Race on Hocevar and Spire Motorsports
As the NASCAR Cup Series reaches the Circuit of The Americas, Carson Hocevar’s cautious yet determined approach reflects the increasing competitiveness in the series. His focus on accumulating points steadily, avoiding costly mistakes, and adapting to evolving race conditions is designed to keep Spire Motorsports positioned well in the championship hunt.
The updated track limits, potent car horsepower, and strategic restarts will test his and the team’s ability to perform under pressure. Success at COTA could reinforce Hocevar’s reputation as a rising star and signal Spire’s growing stature among NASCAR’s top teams.
Looking ahead, consistent performances at tracks like COTA and the upcoming Phoenix race will be crucial milestones in Hocevar’s journey to becoming a championship contender.
