Carson Hocevar, following a tumultuous and headline-grabbing 2025, is preparing for a determined return with his eyes on a breakout in the upcoming Carson Hocevar NASCAR 2026 season. With a year of hard lessons behind him and Spire Motorsports doubling down on team strategy, the Michigan native is aiming to transform raw speed and tenacity into results when the new season begins.
Hocevar’s Highs and Lows in the 2025 Season
This year, Carson Hocevar became one of NASCAR’s most talked-about figures, drawing both attention and criticism for his fearless, aggressive racing style. Still only in his second full year with Spire Motorsports, Hocevar’s campaign was marked by flashes of brilliance and frustrating self-inflicted setbacks. In many ways, his toughest competitor was himself, as his risk-laden tactics frequently overshadowed his actual results and brought both tension and notoriety to his relationships in the Cup Series paddock.
The statistics from 2025 tell a sobering story for the No. 77 team. Hocevar finished the season without any wins, missed out on the playoffs altogether, settled for a 23rd-place finish in the overall Cup Series standings, and averaged a 21st-place result per race. Compared to his rookie year, these numbers suggested regression, fueling questions about his approach and the team’s direction.
However, the surface doesn’t always show the whole picture. There were unmistakable improvements in the No. 77 car’s speed, particularly during high-profile races like Atlanta in the spring, where a late caution flag potentially cost Hocevar a victory. The Michigan and Nashville events also showcased his potential, as he competed with front-running pace and demonstrated growth in consistency during the summer stretch. Spire Motorsports, meanwhile, continued an aggressive program of team development, setting the groundwork for potential future success.
Expert Endorsements and Outlook for 2026
Erric Estepp, a prominent NASCAR commentator on YouTube, has voiced faith in Hocevar’s prospects next season, crediting both the team’s progressive engineering and the driver’s capacity for a turnaround.
“So, if Spire can keep building on the speed they’ve developed, but eliminate some of the technical mishaps, then yeah, Carson Hocevar, regardless of format, is a top-15 contender—maybe even a top-10 guy if everything goes according to plan,”
said Estepp. He went on to declare,
“I think Carson Hocevar absolutely could bounce back in a big way in 2026.”
—Erric Estepp, NASCAR YouTuber.
One of the most stubborn roadblocks to Hocevar’s 2025 campaign was mechanical reliability. The No. 77 car suffered a total of eight DNFs (Did Not Finish), with more than half resulting from technical issues rather than on-track incidents. This recurring misfortune masked several instances of competitive pace and kept the team from turning potential into points.
Behind the scenes, Spire Motorsports has stayed busy. The organization made bold roster changes by bringing Michael McDowell on board, parting ways with Justin Haley, and adding Daniel Suarez—the latest moves in a continuing quest to increase competitiveness. This ongoing overhaul further signals that the team is fully invested in giving Hocevar every opportunity to excel in the Carson Hocevar NASCAR 2026 season as the equipment side of the operation is refined.
Hocevar’s Aspirations at the Chili Bowl Nationals and Beyond
Adding to the momentum heading into 2026, Hocevar recently celebrated a virtual triumph by winning the iRacing Chili Bowl, a digital counterpart to the famed dirt track event. The win not only fueled his confidence but also rekindled his desire to return to the esteemed Chili Bowl Nationals in Tulsa, Oklahoma. After his online victory, Hocevar shared his excitement, posting an image of the Chili Bowl midget car to his Instagram and voicing his hopes for a real-world return.
“Won the iRacing Chili Bowl last night. Wish I was racing the real thing this year,”
he wrote.
Hocevar has also continued to hone his skills in dirt racing, taking part in the Gateway Dirt Nationals earlier in December. There, he highlighted his preference for grassroots competition and the challenge of adapting on the fly.
“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,”
he said.
“So, it’s just fun to do.”
—Carson Hocevar, NASCAR Driver.
The Chili Bowl Nationals is set for its 40th edition from January 12-17, 2026, at the Tulsa Expo Center—also known as the SageNet Center. The event boasts a star-studded entry list, including defending Cup Series and Chili Bowl champion Kyle Larson and fellow dirt ace Christopher Bell, along with Ty Gibbs. While Hocevar has not yet been officially listed, his renewed interest and online success make a strong case for an anticipated return after his last real-world appearance in 2023.
The Road Forward: What’s Next for Hocevar and Spire Motorsports?
As Spire Motorsports looks ahead, the internal focus is clearly on improving equipment reliability and strategic execution—a move that could elevate Hocevar from outside hopeful to weekly contender. The commitment to bold team moves and relentless technical refinement underlines a belief that, if given the right tools, the 23-year-old driver has the capability to break into NASCAR’s upper ranks.
Hocevar’s relentless drive and willingness to test limits have brought him both obstacles and opportunities, but after a year of hard lessons, the coming season looks poised for a major shift. Success in digital racing circuits and a hunger to return to physical dirt tracks further speak to his determination to grow as a well-rounded racer, not just a Cup Series specialist.
As the 2026 season approaches, all eyes will be on Carson Hocevar and his No. 77 Spire Motorsports team to see if renewed focus, improved equipment, and hard-earned resilience can turn potential into breakthrough results in the competitive landscape of the NASCAR Cup Series.
