Carson Hocevar, Spire Motorsports NASCAR Cup Series driver, has set his sights on competing in the Chili Bowl Nationals in Tulsa, Oklahoma, after recently notching a virtual victory at the iRacing Chili Bowl event. Following his digital win, Hocevar voiced his wish to be part of the next live edition of the prestigious dirt racing event, underscoring his ambition to transition from simulation triumphs to action on the track.
Virtual Victory Fuels Real-World Aspirations
The iRacing special Chili Bowl event provided Hocevar, who led the field for most of the race, with a platform to showcase his skills. He clinched the victory following a crucial late restart, then posted a celebratory image of the Chili’s midget car on his social media, emphasizing his desire to race at the upcoming real Chili Bowl Nationals. The annual event, known as the “Super Bowl of midget racing,” brings together top drivers from NASCAR and other series.
“Won the iRacing Chili Bowl last night. Wish I was racing the real thing this year,”
Carson Hocevar wrote.
Switching Gears: From Virtual Tracks to Dirt Racing
Hocevar, still in the early stages of his career, has shown interest in gaining more real-world dirt racing experience. Earlier this month, he took part in a dirt late model race with Spire Motorsports at the Gateway Dirt Nationals. Reflecting on his experience, Hocevar highlighted the distinctiveness of grassroots competitions compared to high-tech NASCAR events, focusing more on racing instinct and less on engineering data.
“Having real racing or just not a lot of aero or engineering, I’m not looking at laptops and data, and you’re looking at flow, try to figure out what lane works everything. So, its just fun to do,”
Hocevar said.
Major Names to Compete at Upcoming Chili Bowl Nationals
The 40th Chili Bowl Nationals is set for January 12-17, 2026, at the Tulsa Expo/SageNet Center, welcoming fans for five preliminary nights and a Saturday main event. Defending NASCAR Cup champion and current Chili Bowl victor Kyle Larson, along with three-time winner Christopher Bell and Ty Gibbs, are among the highlighted entries for the next tournament, making for an intensely competitive field. Sheldon Creed of the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and Corey Day will also be among those contesting the championship.
Carson Hocevar previously made his debut in the Chili Bowl in 2022, returning for another attempt in 2023, but he has yet to secure a place on the 2024 entry list. His latest iRacing success signals a renewed drive to participate in future editions.
Reflecting on Loss: Tribute After Greg Biffle Tragedy
Outside his racing ambitions, Hocevar has also grappled with recent tragedy affecting the racing community. He expressed heartfelt condolences following the tragic plane crash that claimed the lives of former NASCAR Cup driver Greg Biffle, Biffle’s wife and children, and four others. The fatal accident occurred at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina when a Cessna 500 jet crashed while attempting to return to the runway about ten minutes after takeoff. Authorities and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash.
“Life man. The worst moments remind us how lucky we all are. The memories and the impact we make on others is the only guarantee any of us have and this moment now means so much more and will be something I cherish forever. Rip my friend,”
Carson Hocevar wrote.
What Lies Ahead for Hocevar and the Chili Bowl Nationals
With his eyes set on the next running of the Chili Bowl Nationals, Carson Hocevar embodies the passion, resilience, and yearning for hands-on competition typical among NASCAR drivers transitioning to dirt events. As top names including Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, Ty Gibbs, Sheldon Creed, and Corey Day confirm their participation, anticipation builds for the return of the event to Tulsa’s SageNet Center. The community’s recent loss, paired with Hocevar’s ambitions, highlights the unpredictable yet inspiring world of motorsport as 2026 approaches.
