Carson Hocevar, fresh off the conclusion of the 2025 NASCAR Cup season, reignited debate over racing’s purest form by stating his preference for dirt tracks over traditional NASCAR circuits during the Gateway Dirt Nationals in St. Louis, Missouri. With many NASCAR drivers pausing for the off-season, Hocevar leaned into his passion for dirt racing, sparking conversations across the motorsport community regarding the essence of racing.
Hocevar Finds Joy and Authenticity in Dirt Racing
At just 22, Carson Hocevar shifted focus from NASCAR’s data-driven environment to the more organic style of dirt racing at the Gateway Dirt Nationals. He finished eleventh in St. Louis but made it clear that the experience was about more than results, engaging with friends and fellow drivers like Jeffrey Ledford, Tim Kloss, Wil Herington, and Jonathan Davenport for camaraderie rather than competition alone.
Reflecting on what attracts him to dirt racing, Hocevar highlighted the community aspect and the simplified nature of the competition, expressing contentment alongside his team and peers.
“Yeah, it’s just fun to be back here. These are a lot of my NASCAR guys, guys at the shop that grew up doing this. They get to have fun, with Jeff [Jeffrey Ledford] and Tim Kloss, everybody here. It’s a lot of fun, just happy. Just race, real racing.”
— Carson Hocevar, NASCAR Driver
He emphasized the absence of technical distractions, explaining how dirt racing strips the sport down to core instincts and adaptability.
“There’s not a lot of aero or engineering. I’m not looking at laptops and data, I’m looking at flow and what lane works, and everything.”
— Carson Hocevar, NASCAR Driver
For Hocevar, competing on dirt acts as a return to the roots of racing, where driver intuition, adaptability, and feel for the car dictate performance more than computer modeling or complex aerodynamics. He emphasized a style where drivers rely more on their senses and judgment than external data or simulation tools.
Memorable Moments and Past Rivalries on the Dirt Track
The Gateway Dirt Nationals also stirred memories for Hocevar beyond the race itself. He recalled how the event’s crowd, regardless of their familiarity with NASCAR, recognized him from past dirt track clashes.
“When I walk into this building, I don’t know how many people watch NASCAR, but they sure remember me in a heat, just getting the car drove into my head, almost.”
— Carson Hocevar, NASCAR Driver
Hocevar is notably remembered for a dramatic 2023 confrontation with Jason Feger, involving on-track contact and intense retaliation. He previously shared his feelings regarding that incident,
“The retaliation part, I wish he would — if he was that mad — full-throttle me from behind and not go for my head,”
— Carson Hocevar, NASCAR Driver
Despite these heated moments on the dirt ovals, Hocevar’s competitive fire remains undiminished. His post-season break has not signaled a departure from competition, as he is set to return to Spire Motorsports in the NASCAR Cup Series next year, continuing his tenure in the No. 77 car.
Bobby Pierce Achieves Historic Third Gateway Dirt Nationals Victory
While Hocevar captured attention for his candid comments, Bobby Pierce made history by winning his third Gateway Dirt Nationals title. Pierce commanded every lap of the Kubota Gateway Dirt Nationals at The Dome in St. Louis, claiming a record $70,000 purse—the largest in the event’s history. Starting on the pole, Pierce finished the 40-lap feature 2.15 seconds ahead of Ricky Thornton Jr., adding to previous victories from 2017 and 2018 to become the first three-time winner of the event.
Reflecting on his achievement, Pierce said,
“You just dream of things like this, ever since this event came around,”
— Bobby Pierce, Gateway Dirt Nationals Winner. He continued to express his admiration for the event’s growth and community presence,
“It’s been a spectacle from the beginning. I’ve watched it grow into what it is now. They’ve got a packed house. I don’t see it stopping from growing. I think one day this place will probably be full from the tippy top.”
— Bobby Pierce, Gateway Dirt Nationals Winner
Looking ahead, Pierce aims to continue his dominant form in the World of Outlaws Late Model Series, with the first event of the upcoming season scheduled at Volusia Speedway Park in Florida this January.
Dirt Racing’s Enduring Role in American Motorsport Culture
Hocevar’s focus on dirt racing, as well as Pierce’s record-breaking performance, underscore the ongoing significance of dirt events in the broader motorsport landscape. Dirt tracks have long offered drivers an alternative to highly engineered racing environments, prioritizing skill, quick adaptation, and raw determination. This ethos fuels both nostalgia and lively debate among drivers, fans, and industry figures about what constitutes “real racing.”
Key NASCAR names, including those like Jimmie Johnson, have found both challenge and enjoyment by stepping away from the main NASCAR stage to participate in off-season dirt events or local races. The Gateway Dirt Nationals—and other similar competitions—continue to attract established racing talent and new enthusiasts, forging a strong sense of community and identity within motorsport. The event also acts as a platform for recalling past rivalries, sharing track stories, and celebrating milestones like Pierce’s third victory.
As the offseason transitions into a new NASCAR year, drivers such as Carson Hocevar will return to the Cup Series with fresh perspective and renewed energy, carrying the lessons and relationships built in events like the Gateway Dirt Nationals. In advocating for the raw authenticity of dirt racing and challenging NASCAR to rediscover its core, Hocevar’s words may prompt both fans and competitors to reflect on what draws them to the sport and how its traditions endure in evolving forms.
🎙️ Hear from @CarsonHocevar after racing his way in to the Late Model feature tonight at The Dome!#GatewayDirt @GatewayDirt pic.twitter.com/IFzZBFjCJD
— FloRacing (@FloRacing) December 6, 2025
🏆 @BobbyPierce32 becomes the first three-time winner of the Gateway Dirt Nationals!@GatewayDirt #GatewayDirt #DirtInDecember pic.twitter.com/xsRrGGcFvr
— FloRacing (@FloRacing) December 7, 2025
