Carson Hocevar will take over the No. 11 Chevrolet for Kaulig Racing in the upcoming Xfinity race at Iowa Speedway, following the release of Josh Williams from the team. The change comes after Williams and Kaulig Racing mutually agreed to part ways due to inconsistent results during the 2024 season.
Details Behind Josh Williams’ Departure from Kaulig Racing
Josh Williams, who had driven the No. 11 car since the start of the season, saw his tenure with Kaulig Racing end abruptly after a series of disappointing performances. The 31-year-old driver struggled through 2025, dealing with health issues earlier in the year as well as underwhelming race outcomes, with his best finish being sixth place at Charlotte. In announcing the split, Kaulig Racing confirmed the No. 11 would continue to compete in the season with multiple drivers filling the seat.
Williams expressed gratitude to his family, friends, partners, and supporters while signaling hope for a more successful future in his racing career. His departure reflects the team’s desire to pursue better results moving forward.
Carson Hocevar’s Rise and Role With Kaulig Racing
Carson Hocevar has shown promise during the 2025 NASCAR season, highlighted by his career-best second-place finish at Atlanta following the Daytona 500. Now competing in the Cup Series for Spire Motorsports, Hocevar’s consistent improvement from his rookie efforts in 2024 has made him a strong candidate to deliver stronger performances in higher-profile races. His upcoming participation in the Iowa Xfinity event under Kaulig Racing’s banner marks an important opportunity in his ascent within NASCAR.
Hocevar’s Perspective on Racing Incidents and Apologies
Apart from his on-track performance, Hocevar has attracted attention for his candid views on racing incidents and controversies. Recently, he was involved in backlash over controversial comments made about Mexico City during a Twitch livestream ahead of NASCAR’s first points race outside the United States in decades. Although he later apologized for remarks that were based on hearsay rather than experience, Hocevar maintains a straightforward stance about typical racing contact and apologies.
“I mean, it’s just racing. I mean, sometimes, you know, stuff happens. We’re all in the limit of everything of all people, right? I’m on the limit of everything. So, yeah, it doesn’t bother me.”
—Carson Hocevar, NASCAR Cup Series Driver
“Because, even if you do it intentionally or not, you’re never going to say that to the person So, it just kind of just becomes a pony show a little bit. So, you know, if I don’t like it … it’s a little weird for me. I’ve never been on this side of it, but yeah. I’m just kind of just going through the actions of it,”
—Carson Hocevar, NASCAR Cup Series Driver
Regarding an apology he received from fellow driver Josh Berry after a collision, Hocevar described such gestures as “a little weird,” emphasizing that physical contact is a routine part of racing where explicit apologies between drivers rarely happen.
Significance of the Driver Change at Iowa Speedway
The replacement of Josh Williams with Carson Hocevar marks a strategic decision by Kaulig Racing to enhance competitiveness in the Xfinity series, especially at Iowa Speedway. For Hocevar, this represents a significant chance to showcase his skills in a new role while continuing to build momentum in his NASCAR career. The move may serve as a fresh start both for the team’s No. 11 entry and for Williams as he seeks the next chapter in his racing journey.
As the season progresses, fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how Hocevar adapts to the new opportunity and whether his performances can help stabilize the No. 11 car’s results. Meanwhile, Williams’ future engagements in racing remain to be seen following his departure from Kaulig Racing.
