Carson Hocevar is calling attention to the need for Spire Motorsports NASCAR respect after consistent performances have shifted the team beyond its former “little team” label. The Michigan native voiced his frustration over lingering perceptions during a recent conversation with Kenny Wallace, highlighting how recent achievements show Spire’s potential in the Cup Series.
Hocevar Addresses Spire Motorsports’ Image
Spire Motorsports began its journey in NASCAR’s Cup garage as a modest operation, simply aiming to make it through races and stay on track. Over the years, significant investments in equipment, personnel, and development have redefined what goes on inside its Mooresville facilities. According to Carson Hocevar, the team’s internal perspective has evolved, and their performance in the standings is proof of that progress. Hocevar, driving the No. 77 car, helped push Spire Motorsports to fourth place in the driver points, challenging the assumption that Spire remains only a small contender.
However, he points out that not everyone in the NASCAR community recognizes this growth.
“Spire still has the reputation of the, you know, they still haven’t broken out, it’s the little team that was in the shop just trying to buy tires,”
Hocevar said.
“It’s obviously such a different race team than it was and everything.”
— Carson Hocevar, NASCAR Driver. He believes that narrative remains stuck in earlier years, despite meaningful changes at the organization.
On-Track Results Reinforce Spire’s Transformation
Hocevar proved Spire’s growth at EchoPark Speedway, rebounding from being two laps down early to finishing fourth—his first top-five result of the season. The run showcased the resilience that defines this new era at Spire Motorsports. That day, Daniel Suarez—Hocevar’s teammate in the No. 7—also finished near the front, securing a rare double top-five finish in Cup competition for the organization.
The consistent ability of the No. 77 to collect stage points has caught attention, with Hocevar ranking among the best in the field. This upward trend is not accidental: last season, despite flashes of speed that earned Hocevar nine top-10 results and 120-plus laps led, the team fell short of a top-10 points result. Yet, it laid important groundwork. Now, that progress is paying off with increased consistency and competitiveness from the start of the season.
Demands for Due Credit and Ending Conditional Respect
Despite these gains, Hocevar feels there remains a reluctance for NASCAR’s garage to recognize Spire’s speed and achievements.
“I don’t think everybody wants to give us credit yet for like how fast we are because I think we’re really really fast,”
he continued.
“It’s always like, ‘Oh, he’s really fast but…’ There’s always a but. We’re just rolling as us, going as fast as possible.”
— Carson Hocevar, NASCAR Driver. For Hocevar, that “but” has become a tired refrain. Even when the No. 77 is strong in practice or contending at the front, outsiders seem to view the results as unexpected rather than the culmination of development and preparation.
Hocevar’s assertive driving style, though sometimes controversial, mirrors his insistence that his team deserves acknowledgment. He is determined not to wait for validation; instead, he’s trusting that sustained results will eventually earn Spire Motorsports the respect it has earned on merit.
Spire’s Rising Expectations and Future in the Sport
For Spire Motorsports, surviving race weekends is no longer the aspiration. Goals have shifted toward contending with the established giants of the Cup Series, reflecting a cultural change within the organization. The group believes it can compete consistently, regardless of previous reputations, and seeks to be treated like any top-tier race team by both peers and fans.
As the season unfolds, the narrative of Spire Motorsports is quickly moving away from “underdog” toward “genuine contender.” With committed personnel, strong runs from both Hocevar and Suarez, and a growing resume of results, expectations are rising both inside and outside the garage. If this trend continues, Spire Motorsports may soon shed the last remnants of its past image and demand the NASCAR respect it has worked so intensely to achieve.
There’s always a … but
🤦♂️
But @Kenny_Wallace says @CarsonHocevar has put Spire Motorsports on the map
🗺️
Full Kenny Conversation with Carson Hocevar up now on YouTube: https://t.co/st7j4ZdHwy pic.twitter.com/B9XLw9rgRL
— Charlie Marlow (@CharlieMarlow_) February 26, 2026
