Carson Hocevar overcomes flat tire setback at Michigan after leading a personal best 32 laps during Sunday’s race at Michigan International Speedway, but a late flat tire denied him a chance at victory and forced him to settle for a 29th-place finish. The Michigan-born driver showed both frustration and gratitude in the aftermath, managing to avoid a serious incident and looking to rebound as the NASCAR Cup Series prepares for its historic event in Mexico.
Hocevar’s Strong Start Derailed by Untimely Flat Tire
Hocevar appeared poised for a breakthrough at his home track, controlling the race for more laps than ever before in his NASCAR Cup Series career. As the laps wound down, he calculated a potential fuel shortage with only a handful left, holding out hope for a caution period that would allow him to pit and refuel. Instead, his challenge came to an abrupt halt with 18 laps to go when a sudden flat tire cost him the lead to William Byron, relegating him to a finish well outside the top ten and one lap lower than his rivals. While visibly disappointed, Hocevar remained composed in his post-race reflection, saying:
“I’m just, I’m obviously really thankful it happened down the backstretch off two because it had a moment in the late exit of two, and I’m like, ‘That’s not right’ and then it sat down. I’ve never really had a flat at these high-speed tracks.”
—Carson Hocevar, Driver
“So, I’m glad I got that feeling without it hurting, you know, or just being a big moment, especially for how good that car was, I’m glad we didn’t tear it up,”
he added. —Carson Hocevar, Driver
Looking ahead, Hocevar will once again pilot the No. 77 Chevy Camaro ZL1 at the upcoming Viva Mexico 250, scheduled for Sunday, June 15, at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. The event marks the return of a point-paying NASCAR Cup Series race outside the United States for the first time in over six decades.
Standings Update: Byron and Hocevar’s Positions After Michigan
William Byron, who capitalized on Hocevar’s misfortune to take the lead, stays on top in the championship standings despite a less-than-stellar 28th-place finish on Sunday. Hocevar, despite his setback, holds 18th place in the season rankings, logging 304 points thus far, with two top-five and three top-ten finishes to his credit for the year. Hendrick Motorsports and Chevrolet remain central in the ongoing competition as the schedule advances toward its international excursion.
Hamlin Reflects on Win and Hocevar’s Potential
Denny Hamlin, the veteran driver for Joe Gibbs Racing’s No. 11 car, claimed his 57th NASCAR Cup Series victory by winning the FireKeepers Casino event at Michigan. Acknowledging that Hocevar could have emerged victorious had luck been kinder, Hamlin remained pragmatic about his younger rival’s future. Hamlin stated:
“Where I don’t feel sorry for him is he actually is half my age and so I know he’s got way more time to win those races. You can’t run as fast as he’s running, being up front as much as he’s up front, without eventually winning.”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver
“He’s with a team that’s on the rise, he is on the rise. It’s just a matter of time. None of us will be shocked if it’s next week, a month from now or whenever it is,”
he added. —Denny Hamlin, Driver
Now approaching his 45th birthday, Hamlin has reached significant milestones in his own right—including completing 700 career NASCAR Cup Series starts, becoming the 10th driver in history to win a race after reaching that mark. As one of the series‘ most accomplished competitors, Hamlin’s outlook reflects the competitive and constantly evolving landscape of NASCAR, where youth and experience continually intersect.
Historic Opportunity Awaits at Viva Mexico 250
The field will turn its attention to the Viva Mexico 250 at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, representing a rare international contest for the Cup Series and a fresh test for drivers and teams. For Hocevar, bouncing back from Michigan’s disappointment offers both a challenge and an opportunity to build on his progress against a roster that features standouts like William Byron and Denny Hamlin. As NASCAR embarks on its first point-paying event outside the U.S. since 1958, drivers and fans alike will be watching to see if Hocevar can capitalize on his recent momentum and take the next step forward in his promising career.
