Carson Hocevar, a Cup Series driver for Spire Motorsports, will not participate in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series event this weekend at EchoPark Speedway in Atlanta, leading to a notable change in the lineup. As part of the latest Carson Hocevar NASCAR update, Nick Leitz has been named as his replacement behind the wheel of the No. 42 car for Young’s Motorsports.
Change in Young’s Motorsports Driver Lineup
Although Hocevar recently ran triple duty at Daytona International Speedway—competing in multiple events and aiming for strong results—he ultimately departed the World Center of Racing with a disappointing best finish of 18th. While his agreement with Spire Motorsports allows him to continue in the Craftsman Truck Series, Hocevar will skip this weekend’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race in Atlanta, focusing on his 13-race Truck Series schedule instead.
Nick Leitz steps in for Young’s Motorsports to drive the No. 42 Chevrolet at Atlanta. Leitz has previously split his season between SS-Green Light Racing and RSS Racing, achieving his best finish with an 11th place result at Talladega Superspeedway and concluding the previous season at Phoenix Raceway. His past experience includes starts at Atlanta in both O’Reilly Series events over the last two seasons, where he finished 26th and 20th this year, and 22nd and 24th the year prior.
Team Strategies and Future Possibilities
Young’s Motorsports, in their debut season fielding two full-time cars in the O’Reilly Series, continues to evaluate their driver plans beyond this weekend for the No. 42 entry. Ryan Ellis, after transferring from DGM Racing, currently pilots their No. 02 Chevrolet. Details about future races for Hocevar or Leitz with the team are yet to be defined, though Hocevar could potentially return for additional events in the upcoming season.
Hocevar’s Recent Results and Season Outlook
Hocevar started Daytona as a favorite in the Truck Series race but was sidelined by recurring tire troubles, leading to a 35th-place result and not finishing (DNF) the race. In the O’Reilly Series contest, he recorded a 20th-place finish without much incident. The Daytona 500 saw Hocevar lead on the final lap before he was involved in a wreck, ultimately being scored 18th after a minor post-race adjustment.
Currently in his third full season of Cup Series competition, Hocevar is not affected by NASCAR restrictions that typically limit veteran runners from taking part in lower national divisions. Despite not having confirmed plans for the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2026, it remains possible that he will make more appearances for Young’s Motorsports in the future.
Broadcast and What Fans Can Expect Next
This Saturday’s Bennett Transportation & Logistics 250 at EchoPark Speedway (Atlanta) will be broadcast live on the CW Network, with coverage beginning at 5 p.m. ET. The latest shift in Young’s Motorsports’ driver roster puts the spotlight on Nick Leitz, who now has a significant opportunity to make an impression behind the wheel in place of Hocevar.
As the season progresses, the Carson Hocevar NASCAR update underscores ongoing changes across key teams, including Young’s Motorsports, Spire Motorsports, and the broader roster of drivers who continue to shape the narrative on NASCAR’s national stage. With new chances for Leitz and uncertainty around Hocevar’s future starts, the coming races are set to deliver further developments for fans and teams alike.
