Chase Elliott, once a dominant force in the NASCAR Cup Series, has struggled to maintain his previous level of success since the debut of the Next Gen car in 2022. The No. 9 Chevrolet driver, known for his expertise on road courses with the sixth-generation car, now finds himself less frequently competing for wins as the new vehicle concept has proven difficult for him to master.
Despite still contending in races, Elliott’s presence as a top contender has diminished noticeably, raising questions about his ability to adapt to the evolving demands of NASCAR’s latest era.
Carson Hocevar Emerges as a Rising Star with Impressive Results
In contrast to Elliott’s struggles, Spire Motorsports rookie Carson Hocevar has been impressing fans and analysts alike with his aggressive driving style and consistent on-track performance. While sometimes criticized for being rough in traffic, Hocevar is widely regarded as one of the sport’s most promising young talents, as evidenced by his steady improvement this season.
At the Nashville Superspeedway event, Hocevar matched his career-best finish by securing second place behind Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney, a strong indicator of his growing competitiveness in the Cup Series.
Hendrick Motorsports’ Interest in Hocevar Fuels Speculation
Following the Nashville race, Hendrick Motorsports’ Vice President of Competition Chad Knaus was spotted congratulating Hocevar, which sparked rumors about the possibility of Hocevar joining the prestigious Hendrick team in the near future. This interaction has led many fans to speculate about potential driver lineup changes at HMS, especially concerning Chase Elliott’s status.
“Second place finish for Carson Hocevar. Matches his career-best from Atlanta earlier this year
Chad Knaus came over to say good job as Carson’s media obligations were winding down pic.twitter.com/7QJ5j15Q3o” —Steven Taranto
The notion that Hocevar might replace a current Hendrick driver gained traction on social media, with some fans openly suggesting Elliott be the one to step aside.
“Future driver of the 9 car. I’m calling it now,”
wrote one enthusiast confidently.
Others reinforced this idea, expressing their desire for change within the team:
“Give him the 9 car,” another fan urged.
Criticism extended beyond Elliott, with some supporters questioning the future of Alex Bowman at Hendrick Motorsports as well.
“Honestly if we’re being real Chase and Alex don’t deserve a spot at Hendrick anymore. They’ve both fallen off a cliff since the start of the Next Gen era.”
Hendrick Motorsports’ Position Amid Potential Driver Changes
It remains uncertain whether Hendrick Motorsports will make any immediate roster adjustments, particularly given Chase Elliott’s status as one of NASCAR’s most popular drivers. HMS is renowned for attracting top talent, and any decision concerning Elliott’s future will likely involve careful consideration of performance alongside marketability and fan appeal.
Furthermore, Elliott faces strong competition within his own team, notably from teammate Kyle Larson, who has also been demonstrating formidable form this season. As the team evaluates its direction, the balance between nurturing emerging talents like Hocevar and retaining experienced drivers like Elliott and Bowman will be crucial.
