Spire Motorsports driver Carson Hocevar is making headlines with his bold fuel strategy for Sunday’s Jack Links 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. Unlike many of his competitors, who plan to save fuel, Hocevar intends to race full throttle throughout the 500-mile event, stating that he is doing so “out of protest.”
NASCAR races at drafting tracks like Daytona and Talladega have historically seen drivers prioritize fuel conservation until the final pit stops. This approach often results in racers running in packs and not utilizing the full power of their engines to save fuel for later stages of the race. However, on a recent episode of the Rubbin is Racing podcast, Hocevar expressed his disdain for this trend, admitting that while he believes the race will follow the same conservative pattern, he will refuse to participate in it.
Hocevar, who is in his second year competing in the Cup Series, emphasized his commitment to racing aggressively. He stated, “I’m tired of the way the Cup Series races at Talladega,” highlighting his determination to break away from the norm, even if that means risking running out of fuel. This fierce mindset showcases Hocevar’s desire to reinvigorate the racing experience for himself and the fans alike.
As he prepares for his fourth career Cup start at Talladega, Hocevar’s previous experiences have not been stellar; he has never finished inside the top 30 in his earlier races at this track. His best result came last April when he crossed the finish line in 35th place. However, he is driven by the hopes of changing his luck and proving his mettle.
In anticipation of the upcoming race, Hocevar shared a photo of his truck on X, designed to evoke nostalgia by resembling the vehicle driven by Mike Skinner in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. The truck features a black paint job with the famous Richard Childress Racing #3 emblazoned on the side—an homage to the legendary Dale Earnhardt and Skinner’s impactful run in the series.
As Hocevar continues to push boundaries in his second full-time season in the NASCAR Cup Series, he already earned Rookie of the Year honors last season and secured a top-five finish, which is a remarkable feat for emerging talent. This season has seen him reach new heights, with his best career finish of second place occurring at Atlanta, adding to the excitement surrounding his bold fuel strategy at Talladega.
Hocevar’s defiance against the conventional fuel-saving tactics could intrigue other drivers and fans, possibly defining a new era of racing at Talladega. Only time will tell how this strategy plays out, but one thing is assured: Carson Hocevar is ready to make a statement on the track.
