Carson Hocevar, a rising NASCAR Cup Series talent, has been catching the eyes of racing enthusiasts with his growing collection of classic and homage-inspired cars. The Carson Hocevar NASCAR car collection, featuring vehicles styled after legends like Dale Earnhardt and Buddy Baker, blends his passion for racing history and street-legal collectibles.
Expanding a Passion for Historic Racing Cars
Hocevar, known for driving the No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet NextGen, has made headlines not only for his performance on the track, but also for his unique off-track hobby. Earlier this summer, he acquired a 1997 Silverado pickup truck with vinyl honoring Dale Earnhardt, and more recently, he secured a 1977 Oldsmobile Cutlass recreated to resemble Buddy Baker’s famous ‘Gray Ghost.’ These acquisitions underline Hocevar’s taste for vehicles with deep NASCAR roots.
When asked about what first drew him to collecting, Hocevar explained his childhood fascination with street-legal race cars. At Kalamazoo Speedway, he admired a car owned by the local track’s proprietor, recalling,
“I mean, I’ve always wanted cars or like street legal race cars as a kid,”
—Carson Hocevar, NASCAR Cup Series Driver.
Reflecting on his frequent searches for unique vehicles, he noted,
“So every time I look on Facebook marketplace, it seems like there are more and more coming up. Either that, or it’s my algorithms knowing it or people making these listings knowing I’ll probably buy them.”
—Carson Hocevar, NASCAR Cup Series Driver.
A Growing Collection and Active Search for New Additions
Hocevar’s interest in NASCAR artifacts doesn’t end with his current lineup. Right before a recent media session at World Wide Technology Raceway, he shared that he was actively browsing for more vehicles, with his latest interest being a Kasey Kahne Hendrick Motorsports Car of Tomorrow from 2012. That specific model, although not yet for sale, represents his eagerness to expand his “Infinity Gauntlet” of cars, as he puts it.
The driver’s affinity for showpiece automobiles hasn’t gone unnoticed by fans on the road. A recent experience reinforced the collection’s visibility—while driving the Dale Earnhardt-themed Silverado, he encountered an outpouring of public reactions after a tire mishap, receiving numerous honks and texts.
Describing the encounter, Hocevar recalled,
“You know, the first time I drove the Dale truck, I had about six people walk over to me and we talked and I was stuck at the gas station for an hour,”
—Carson Hocevar, NASCAR Cup Series Driver. This event led to extended conversations about NASCAR with fans.
He also recounted another interaction on the highway:
“When I stopped and got fuel, started rolling down the road, a bunch of people rolled down their windows and shouted ‘hell yeah,’ and honked at me. I didn’t know there were that many people on the highway that knew me and had my number because I got like eight texts and calls from people who said they saw me.”
—Carson Hocevar, NASCAR Cup Series Driver.
Appreciating the benefits of his car’s notoriety, Hocevar added,
“So, it’s nice to know that if you have an issue, I guess the Dale truck’s pretty obvious that if I have a problem, someone’s got the hook up.”
—Carson Hocevar, NASCAR Cup Series Driver.
Fan Encounters and Community Building
Taking his tribute vehicles for long drives brings not just public recognition, but also direct fan engagement. Over the weekend at Darlington, after driving his custom pickup from his Charlotte area home, Hocevar experienced a unique reception at his hotel where dedicated supporters awaited him. He recounted,
“I had a few fans that were camped out in the parking lot of the hotel because they knew I was staying there and just waited until I came out because they want some things signed and they wanted pictures, which, which I thought was cool,”
—Carson Hocevar, NASCAR Cup Series Driver.
Reflecting on that experience,
“But I thought I was like ‘damn,’ because that was the first time that’s ever happened. I thought maybe that was kind of weird but you also open yourself up to it when you make it very obvious and park out front and make it clear ‘yeah, I’m staying at this hotel’ but it’s been a lot of fun for me.”
—Carson Hocevar, NASCAR Cup Series Driver.
Hocevar regards his custom vehicles as effective conversation starters, marking a return for fans who haven’t followed NASCAR since the days of Dale Earnhardt. He hopes his collection fosters renewed interest in the sport and creates new fans through admiration of his one-of-a-kind rides. Although the Oldsmobile Cutlass has yet to be driven on public roads, he looks forward to using it in the same community-focused way.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Hocevar’s Collection
As he eyes additional pieces, like the Kahne Car of Tomorrow, Hocevar remains determined to keep expanding the Carson Hocevar NASCAR car collection. His desire is not just to collect vehicles, but to use them, contrasting with traditional car enthusiasts who focus solely on preservation. As he explains,
“I have the Oldsmobile, and I’m just trying to collect them all, the Monte Carlo, the Lumina and hopefully the COT but I need to build a shop first,”
—Carson Hocevar, NASCAR Cup Series Driver. His plans include making space for the growing lineup and ensuring each car gets time on the road, emphasizing, “I’m going to drive them.”
The NASCAR community continues to watch as Hocevar’s collection grows, inspiring both admiration from longtime fans and curiosity from newcomers. As more distinctive vehicles join his “Infinity Gauntlet,” he further cements his reputation as a collector who celebrates the intersection of racing history, fan culture, and everyday driving, potentially shaping how modern athletes foster engagement and legacy in the sport.
