Carson Hocevar Bristol Cup performance at the NASCAR Cup Series Round of 16 race in Bristol, Tennessee, ended in disappointment after a caution in the closing laps altered his bid for a first career victory. Despite leading late and battling tire wear at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday, September 13, Hocevar ultimately finished seventh as veterans like Christopher Bell capitalized in the final sprint.
Playoff Intensity at the Bristol Short Track
The atmosphere was heavy with anticipation as drivers returned to Bristol Motor Speedway, where tire degradation mirrored the extreme conditions seen during the spring event earlier in 2024. This time, playoff pressure was at its peak, with established contenders like Christopher Bell taking center stage while rising talents such as Carson Hocevar and Zane Smith sought their inaugural trip to victory lane on the storied Tennessee oval.
The narrative for the night shifted in the closing laps. A late restart with only four laps remaining set the stage for high-stakes drama. Zane Smith lined up on the inside of the front row, while Carson Hocevar started outside, both hopeful for a breakthrough win. Bell, seasoned and calm, withstood the challenge, securing the victory as Smith and Hocevar slipped from contention in the frenetic finish.
Smith’s Strongest Season Drive Marred by Late Turn
Zane Smith’s night was defined by consistency and resilience. After a mid-pack start in 24th, the Californian methodically worked his way into the top ten, maintaining competitive pace through the majority of the 500-lap contest. Smith notched a fifth-place stage one finish and placed ninth in stage two, also leading five circuits. Saturday delivered his best haul of championship points all year, capped by his first top-five result of the campaign as he crossed the line in third place.
Reflecting on the effort, Smith remarked,
“Yeah, it was a good race for us,”
describing the challenge of tire conservation and the complexities that unfolded after only a few dozen laps, when excessive aggression forced many to pay the price.—Zane Smith, Driver
He continued,
“But yeah, with that said, just proud of the effort. How we executed strategy and in the end there with five to go, we’re all going for it. So, track’s marbled up, slipping and sliding around and I don’t know how many laps I had on my left-side tires. But, yeah, just trying to get my first Cup win. And it didn’t work out.”
—Zane Smith, Driver
Despite the setback, Smith expressed appreciation for the competition and tire strategy, recalling the feel of “short track days.” He credited his crew chief Ryan Bergenty for clear communication on lap times and overall sound strategy.
“It was fun. It kind of brought back, like, short track days. Just tire management, yeah, those races are fun. Just didn’t expect it to be quite this much, but this whole team, Ryan Bergenty, did a great job on strategy. Letting me know on lap times that I needed to run. Yeah, it was just a good run by the whole team.”
—Zane Smith, Driver
Smith was also satisfied with his execution on the final dash to the checkered flag, stating,
“I feel like I launched honestly as good or better than anyone I saw tonight…”
and,
“Yeah, trying to get to the lead.”
—Zane Smith, Driver
Hocevar’s Near-Miss on Victory at Bristol
While Zane Smith celebrated a career-best result, Carson Hocevar’s night came tinged with frustration. The youthful Spire Motorsports competitor paced the field for 26 laps, executing a bold strategy and appearing poised for triumph as he reeled in the leader, Brad Keselowski, in the late stages. However, a well-timed caution negated his tire advantage, setting off the decisive late-race restart.
With all fresh tires used up, Hocevar was forced to remain on track on worn rubber, making him vulnerable as the pack charged behind him for the final four laps. Although he firmly held the lead up to the restart, his momentum evaporated against cars on newer tires, and he ultimately finished seventh, earning his eighth top-10 result of the season and his second in the last three events. This race was the twelfth instance where Hocevar led laps but failed to finish first.
He explained the situation candidly:
“Yeah, I mean, there’s nothing we could’ve done,”
adding,
“The winning strategy was if that stays green. We were out of tires, so we had to try, especially from the lead.”
—Carson Hocevar, Spire Motorsports Driver
Hocevar outlined his approach to the intense restart:
“I tried to stay side by side just to get a ‘Clear off [turn] 2′ and not, like, too far out. Just try to stack everybody up. If I could get squared up off [turn] 2. Hopefully, the 38 and 48 would hold ’em up. (But the) 20 just got inside right away. Yeah, that’s all she wrote.”
—Carson Hocevar, Spire Motorsports Driver
Like many in his sophomore Cup season, Hocevar admitted to being caught off guard by the scale of tire degradation under the Bristol lights. He voiced a desire for a balance between tire wear and competitive racing:
“I mean, I miss running the top,”
Hocevar said. It would be nice if we could get tire wear where we could. Where it’s not like a lottery as much, and we could still go run the top. I enjoy running the top here, and you get to move around. It eliminates some of the bumper-tag cautions.—Carson Hocevar, Spire Motorsports Driver
Seeing positives in the situation, he added:
“But it was nice not complaining about dirty air. So, there’s a bright side to everything.”
—Carson Hocevar, Spire Motorsports Driver
Aftermath and Future Prospects for Emerging Talent
Despite the heartbreak at Bristol, the season is far from over for both Smith and Hocevar as they continue their search for a maiden Cup Series victory. With seven races left in NASCAR’s premier division, each will have more opportunities to build on their strong performances at challenging short tracks like Bristol. Their persistence and continuous presence in the top tier underline the depth of talent among emerging drivers in 2024 and set up compelling narratives as the playoffs intensify.
Christopher Bell’s win further cements his place among Cup Series favorites, while Brad Keselowski’s leadership in the closing laps demonstrated the ever-present threat posed by experienced contenders. Meanwhile, efforts from Hocevar and Smith highlight an evolving dynamic at the front of the field. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on the fierce competition and strategic gambits that define races like Bristol — moments where tire wear, timing, and split-second decisions shape the trajectory of future champions.
The significance of the Carson Hocevar Bristol Cup performance at Bristol extends not only to his personal journey but to the growing rivalry and ambitions among NASCAR’s next generation of stars, promising greater excitement in the races ahead.
