Carson Hocevar, a rising star in the NASCAR Cup Series, has shared details about his newest Facebook Marketplace purchase plans, continuing his trend of acquiring unique NASCAR cars. The 22-year-old driver, known for his aggressive racing with Spire Motorsports, recently opened up about his growing collection of old stock cars and a new project he spotted online.
Hocevar revealed to The Athletic that he currently owns three or four old NASCAR vehicles and is planning to buy another. He expressed particular interest in restoring a street car he discovered through a humorous social media post, as well as acquiring an authentic Cup car for his collection.
Hocevar’s Acquisition Plans and Interest in Classic Cars
Discussing his expanding garage, Hocevar confirmed,
“I’m up to three or four that I own. One’s going to be a remake of a street car I saw in a funny Instagram post. Another is a real Cup car I want to get.”
This statement highlights his enthusiasm for preserving and customizing vintage NASCAR vehicles, which have become a personal hobby alongside his professional racing career.
Despite frequent messages from fans and fellow drivers about iconic cars, Hocevar made it clear that some offers don’t interest him. In particular, the legendary Dale Earnhardt Sr. car from 1981 that frequently appears on Facebook Marketplace and draws attention from the public does not appeal to him at this time.
“There’s a 1981 Dale Earnhardt car or something on Facebook Marketplace that people DM and text me about all the time,”
Hocevar said.
“The people even DM’d me specifically asking if I wanted it before they listed it, but I’m like, ‘No, I’m good. I have enough Dale stuff.’”
Hocevar’s network of contacts within the racing community often reaches out with potential deals. He mentioned receiving messages from other drivers, reinforcing his strong connections in NASCAR.
“Christian Eckes texted me something, Jesse Love sent me something. Even drivers I don’t really talk to that much are sending me stuff,”
he shared.
Clarifying the Chili’s Purchase Rumor
Earlier, Hocevar sparked confusion on social media by claiming to have bought the local Chili’s restaurant in his hometown of Portage, Michigan. The statement raised eyebrows given his sponsorship ties with the restaurant chain and his known penchant for unusual acquisitions.
His initial post read,
“I BOUGHT MY HOMETOWN CHILI’S LOCATION IN PORTAGE, MICHIGAN. I am excited to announce after seeing this post [from a local radio station claiming the Chili’s location would be torn down], I made a call and got a hold of my friends at Chili’s. I wanted to be able to save this location as it’s very close to home.”
Hocevar elaborated,
“It shocked me to find out the folks at 107.7 RKR had no base to their claims, and this location was open. I figured it would be worthy investment to still invest and so I am proud to announce that I bought this Chili’s location in my hometown.”
However, Hocevar later admitted that his claim was a playful response to local media clickbait rather than a genuine purchase.
“So, in Portage some radio station made some clickbait thing about the Chili’s shutting down,”
he explained.
“And [Chili’s] asked me if I would promote it, say it’s not closed, and I was like…can I just say I bought it? Until the first payment hits?”
He described how this tactic served as a subtle retort to misleading reports.
“They loved it, so that’s kind of how you fight fire with fire nowadays. Clickbait, you gotta fight it with another clickbait. The radio station made a retraction that got about 11 likes, but the original post got about 600 comments and 500 shares or something.”
Implications for Hocevar’s Career and Interests
Carson Hocevar’s growing passion for collecting and restoring classic NASCAR vehicles reveals a side of the driver beyond his aggressive racing style. His enthusiasm for Facebook Marketplace finds, supported by connections with drivers such as Christian Eckes and Jesse Love, adds a unique dimension to his presence within the NASCAR community.
Moreover, his strategic use of social media to counter local rumors about the Chili’s restaurant shows a savvy understanding of public relations and fan interaction. As Hocevar continues to develop both on and off the track, his activities reflect a multifaceted personality that resonates strongly with fans and industry insiders alike.
Looking ahead, Hocevar’s continued interest in acquiring vintage race cars may inspire others in the sport to engage more deeply with NASCAR’s history, while his candid communication style suggests that he will remain a compelling figure to watch in the seasons to come.
