Carson Hocevar NASCAR sponsorship headlines the 2026 season as Zeigler Automotive Group returns to Spire Motorsports to back the rising star and 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year. Starting with the season-opening Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C., Zeigler will serve as the primary sponsor for Hocevar’s No. 77 Chevy Camaro in 11 high-profile NASCAR Cup Series races.
Sponsorship Statement Highlights Hocevar’s Impact
Zeigler Automotive Group, one of the largest privately-owned dealer organizations in the United States, has renewed its partnership with Michigan native Carson Hocevar for the 2026 campaign. The family-owned enterprise, operating 88 franchises across 41 locations in states such as Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan, will feature its Zeigler.com and Zeigler Auto Group branding prominently throughout the Cup Series calendar.
“Sponsoring Carson Hocevar for the 2026 season is about more than putting our name on the No. 77 — it’s about supporting someone who represents the future of this sport and the way we do business,”
said Aaron J. Zeigler, president and CEO of Zeigler Auto Group and Zeigler Racing.
“Carson brings intensity, authenticity, and a relentless drive to improve every time he takes the track. That mindset will take him far, and we can’t wait to see what he does next as he continues to push what’s possible.”
– Aaron J. Zeigler, president and CEO of Zeigler Auto Group and Zeigler Racing
2026 Zeigler-Painted Races: Key Dates and Tracks
Fans can expect to see Hocevar’s car sporting the bold yellow and black Zeigler paint scheme at these races in 2026:
1. Bowman Gray Stadium – February 1
2. Michigan International Speedway – June 7
3. Pocono Raceway – June 14
4. Chicagoland Speedway – July 5
5. Atlanta Motor Speedway – July 12
6. Indianapolis Motor Speedway – July 26
7. Iowa Speedway – August 9
8. Richmond Raceway – August 15
9. Bristol Motor Speedway – September 19
10. Kansas Speedway – September 27
11. Martinsville Speedway – November 1
Hocevar’s Rapid Ascent and Local Ties
Hocevar, a Portage, Mich. native, enters this sponsorship fresh off a notable 2025 campaign. He logged two top-five and nine top-10 finishes, with standout runner-up placements at Atlanta Motor Speedway and Nashville Superspeedway. The young driver also collected his first Cup Series pole award at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth.
The 22-year-old driver was especially strong as a rookie in 2024, securing top rookie honors with one top-five, six top-10, and 13 top-15 results, amassing 686 points to decisively lead the rookie standings. He made his Cup Series debut for Spire Motorsports in June 2023 at World Wide Technology Raceway and also achieved top-10 results in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Darlington Raceway and Charlotte Motor Speedway that same year.
“I’m excited to continue our partnership with Zeigler Automotive Group,”
said Hocevar.
“I grew up right down the street from their headquarters in Kalamazoo, so it is cool to see how it has all come full circle. The whole Zeigler family have been such great supporters of me and the No. 77 team since day one. I’m looking forward to continuing to build our partnership on and off the track and can’t wait to park the Zeigler Chevrolet in Victory Lane this year.”
– Carson Hocevar, NASCAR Cup Series Driver
What to Expect for the 2026 NASCAR Season
The upcoming season will launch with the high-energy Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, broadcast live on FOX and through Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. As Hocevar embarks on his sophomore Cup Series journey, the expanded sponsorship with Zeigler Automotive Group aims to fuel both his competitive edge and the team’s ambitions. The ongoing partnership solidifies Zeigler’s commitment to the sport, while giving Hocevar, Spire Motorsports, and Michigan racing fans plenty to be enthusiastic about as the No. 77 hits tracks across the nation.
