NASCAR Cup Series competitor Carson Hocevar recently purchased a truck modeled after Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s iconic No. 3 Goodwrench machine, and now uses it as his primary vehicle. The move highlights his deep admiration for Earnhardt, with the acquisition made through Facebook Marketplace earlier this year, strengthening the legacy connection as he continues his 2024 campaign.
Currently in his second year piloting the No. 77 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports, Hocevar has already made waves on the circuit. The young driver, previously celebrated for his Winchester 400 triumph, is pushing for his first Cup Series victory and recently claimed a runner-up finish at Nashville Superspeedway. With 287 points in the standings, Hocevar is ranked 17th, demonstrating consistent progress in the competitive field.
Honoring a Racing Hero With a Daily Driver
Although now a full-time competitor at the sport’s highest level, Hocevar’s appreciation for classic NASCAR energy goes deeper than just driving. He considers Dale Earnhardt Sr.—nicknamed “the intimidator” by many NASCAR aficionados—among his personal heroes and favorite drivers. This admiration naturally led him to seek a tribute for his own collection.
Hocevar explained his motivation for acquiring the distinctive truck, referencing childhood dreams of driving a street-legal car that evoked the feel and look of a classic NASCAR racer.
“I always thought it’d be cool to have a NASCAR (car) be my street car basically, but not like an actual race car but have it decked out like that. So I’ve always wanted one of those Monte Carlos since I was a kid. That Dale truck just reminded me of that.”
—Carson Hocevar, NASCAR Driver
The vehicle is generating discussion off the track as well.
“I think it will win a lot of friends. It’s a conversation starter,”
he added.—Carson Hocevar, NASCAR Driver
Looking ahead, Hocevar is preparing for the Firekeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway, set for Sunday, June 8. The 200-lap event will be broadcast live starting at 2 p.m. ET on Amazon Prime Video, with radio coverage available exclusively via MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. While he has made just one prior start at this two-mile, D-shaped track in the Xfinity Series in 2023, Hocevar is eager for his shot at a strong result in the premier series.
Controversy and Warnings After Recent On-Track Incident
Tension arose during last weekend’s race at Nashville Superspeedway when Hocevar became involved in an incident with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. That altercation forced Stenhouse Jr., driving for Hyak Motorsports, to retire early. The pair avoided a repeat of last year’s physical confrontation between Stenhouse Jr. and Kyle Busch, but speculation persists about escalating rivalry between these competitors.
The situation was further inflamed by remarks from Denny Hamlin, a key figure at Joe Gibbs Racing, who addressed the incident on his Actions Detrimental podcast.
“Ricky Stenhouse will absolutely wreck Carson Hocevar sometime in the near future. He ain’t gonna punch him in the face but he’s absolutely gonna wreck him. If you’re Carson, just know that it’s coming.”
—Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver & Podcaster
Hamlin also made clear that he doesn’t take racing transgressions lightly and indicated that payback is always possible for actions he sees as excessive. The warning underscores the intensity and unpredictability common in the NASCAR Cup Series environment.
Carson Hocevar’s aspirations, alongside his public nod to Dale Earnhardt Sr. through his new truck, keep him both in the spotlight and under watchful eyes of fans and fellow competitors. As the season unfolds, Hocevar’s performance on the track—and his tribute on the road—are sure to fuel further discussions among the racing community and beyond.
