Kyle Busch delivered a commanding win for Spire Motorsports in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series’ Fr8 Racing 208 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Saturday. With teammate Carson Hocevar finishing right behind him, Spire Motorsports achieved a remarkable one-two finish—strengthening their presence in the NASCAR Truck Series and highlighting their teamwork during a tense race.
Busch Achieves 68th Series Win and Cements Dominance
Kyle Busch, piloting the No. 7 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Silverado RST, started third and displayed his signature consistency at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The Las Vegas native, already the Truck Series’ all-time wins leader, notched his 68th victory out of 181 career starts and his ninth overall and third consecutively at the Atlanta track. Busch led four separate times throughout the event, including the crucial final seven laps, overcoming challenging conditions and balancing car performance concerns.
This triumph marked not only another milestone victory for Busch, but also Spire Motorsports’ tenth win in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, further demonstrating the organization’s strength. Over 188 starts in the series, Spire Motorsports now possesses 10 victories, 37 top-five finishes, and 76 top-10 results—a testament to their ongoing growth and competitive determination within NASCAR’s demanding third division.
How the Fr8 Racing 208 Unfolded at Atlanta Motor Speedway
Busch started the contest in third and managed to hold this spot as the 40-lap first stage concluded. Though reporting that his Chevrolet Silverado felt “a little darty,” adjustments during pit stops—fresh Goodyear tires and Sunoco Racing Fuel—helped him quickly regain ground in Stage 2. However, a vibration issue surfaced, forcing Busch to drop as far as 11th before battling his way back to fifth by the end of the stage.
As the decisive stage began, Busch chose the inside of the second row for the Lap 90 restart. Teammate Carson Hocevar provided essential drafting support, propelling Busch to the lead shortly before a timely caution was called with 35 laps to go. Crew chief Brian Pattie kept Busch informed about race timing, noting that the event’s end would be expedited to accommodate a scheduled double-header.
Following a lengthy caution, Busch opted to restart on the upper lane at Lap 107 with Hocevar just behind. In the closing minutes, Hocevar continued to serve as a critical wingman, walling off competitors and enabling Busch to clinch Spire Motorsports’ 10th Truck Series victory. For his efforts, Busch secured second place in series owner points.
After the race, Busch reflected on the evolving team dynamics and tactics that defined the closing laps:
“There’s just so much going on throughout the race. You’re just trying to protect your lane. You’re trying to get the slingshot, and when we needed the slingshot to get back to the front, those guys were trying to use it on us. Carson Hocevar was a great teammate today. You got to have a teammate in this sort of thing. And until it gets really, really spread out on a 50 lap run or whatever, you don’t get a chance to have separation. You end up having to race it out in a group. But as we got towards the end, we started working together, and we started being able to maneuver our way through the end of the second stage. There I was behind him, pushing him. We were able to ratchet forward. And then there at the end, he was my wingman. Huge thanks to HendrickCars.com. Thanks to Spire Motorsports, Gainbridge, Brian Pattie and all these guys on the No. 7 team. We’ll go for another one here in a few weeks.” — Kyle Busch, Driver
Carson Hocevar’s Drive from the Rear Highlights Spire Teamwork
Carson Hocevar, representing the No. 77 Delaware Life Chevrolet Silverado RST, showcased grit and adaptability in Atlanta. Initially qualifying 18th, Hocevar started in the 12th position after rivals were shuffled for unapproved adjustments. Displaying early pace, the driver from Portage, Michigan, cracked the top 10 by the completion of the opening lap.
Midway through the first stage, Hocevar made contact with the wall and picked up fender damage, but still managed a fourth-place finish in Stage 1, collecting vital points for Spire Motorsports’ owner championship aspirations. During pit stops under caution, the Delaware Life crew removed debris from the truck’s grill to resolve overheating, a side effect of drafting with Busch.
Hocevar continued fighting forward after restarting ninth, ending Stage 2 in third to accumulate a total of 15 strategic stage points. Throughout the Final Stage, a timely four-tire pit strategy positioned Hocevar in fifth for a Lap 88 restart before he advanced to second directly behind Busch at Lap 90. Amid a late caution and continued pressure from the opposition, Hocevar maintained his focus and delivered on Spire Motorsports’ cooperative plan for a one-two finish at the checkered flag, raising his team to eighth in series owner points.
Afterwards, Hocevar acknowledged the importance of unity and the business behind racing hard for the team:
“It’s crazy to think how we maybe weren’t on the best terms at the end of the Cup race here a year ago, but we worked together really well today. I didn’t think I’d ever be this excited for a Kyle Busch truck win, but when Spire Motorsports, Jeff Dickerson and TWG Motorsports get to celebrate, I’m happy. My team kept warning me on my water temperature, but continued to give me the green light to push. The overheating kind of kept me from racing it out with him, but if I didn’t have a shot, I wanted to make sure the company had a shot. I went over there during his burnout to give him a high five. I thought it would be a cool picture the Spire Marketing team could use on social. That was a business decision, but it was a lot of fun.” — Carson Hocevar, Driver
Spire Motorsports Adds Another Milestone to Its Growing Legacy
The one-two result in Atlanta marks the second time Spire Motorsports has locked out the top two spots in NASCAR Truck Series competition—the previous instance occurred at Kansas Speedway in 2025, when Hocevar earned the win with William Byron finishing in second. The Atlanta outcome extends Spire’s record of competitive finishes, adding momentum as they look ahead to the rest of the 2026 season.
The team’s management, including Jeff Dickerson and Brian Pattie, played pivotal roles in guiding their drivers through adversity and tactical calls. The mutual support on track—evident in how Hocevar ran interference and Busch delivered under pressure—underscored their shared goal of strengthening Spire’s championship campaign.
Next on the Schedule for the NASCAR Truck Series
Spire Motorsports will now prepare for the next string of races in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. The action resumes at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg with the inaugural OnlyBulls Green Flag 150, scheduled for Saturday, February 28. The event will receive live television coverage on FOX at 12 p.m. EST and radio broadcasts on the NASCAR Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.
The team’s strong Atlanta outing has set an optimistic tone for the upcoming events, where collaboration and performance will continue to be crucial as the season unfolds.
Significance and What Lies Ahead for Spire Motorsports
Kyle Busch’s milestone win and the seamless cooperation with Carson Hocevar signal a season of high potential for Spire Motorsports in the NASCAR Truck Series. The Atlanta result strengthens the organization’s position in owner points and demonstrates the power of teamwork when pursuing championship ambitions. With the season still young, Spire Motorsports is poised to build on this momentum and emerge as a leading force on NASCAR’s competitive landscape.
