Carson Hocevar has dismissed any speculation about him potentially joining Hendrick Motorsports, making it clear he has committed his long-term racing future to Spire Motorsports. These Rick Hendrick NASCAR rumors have surfaced as Hocevar continues to establish himself in the NASCAR Cup Series, but he says his future is firmly settled with Spire, not elsewhere.
Hocevar’s Long-Term Deal With Spire Motorsports
Hocevar, who signed a multi-year deal with Spire Motorsports, has shown no inclination to leave the team. Earlier this month, Spire publicly confirmed that Hocevar would be staying in the No. 77 Chevrolet Camaro for “years,” but did not share the exact duration of the contract. The 21-year-old driver made light of these details on the ‘Kenny Conversations’ podcast when talking to Kenny Wallace, hinting that his agreement was intentionally open-ended.
“I mean I signed a very long-term paper at Spire. I am there for the next decade. … I asked in the contract negotiation. … just not even say a year and just be like, ‘If I have a pulse, I’ll race for Jeff Dickerson,”
Carson Hocevar said.
Hocevar debuted for Spire in the NASCAR Cup Series at World Wide Technology Raceway at just 20 years old. After his initial showing, Spire quickly secured him with a multiyear contract, placing him in the No. 77 Chevy as a full-time driver, skipping the Xfinity Series. He shared the Spire garage with teammate Corey LaJoie as he began his overall Cup Series journey.
Why Hocevar Is Firmly Committed to Spire
Speculation about other team opportunities—like Hendrick Motorsports—does not tempt Hocevar. For him, the team leadership that includes co-owners Jeff Dickerson, Dan Towriss, and Mark Walter, who is also CEO and co-chairman of TWG Global, creates a uniquely supportive environment. Hocevar explained on the same podcast episode why these ownership dynamics make leaving Spire unappealing.
“With Dan Towriss and Jeff Dickerson I have two of, I think, the best owners,”
Carson Hocevar said (44:00 onwards).
He continued to praise the working culture and support system at Spire:
“Everybody’s there because of of Dickerson and I think every person that’s worked there has came from other organizations and all of them say it’s the best working conditions. If you run 22nd or 25th, he doesn’t come in and ask why we ran 25th. He goes, ‘What do you need? What do you need?’ It’s not like, ‘Damn, what happened? I got you all this stuff and you didn’t get.’”
This approach, Hocevar emphasized, makes him uninterested in moving to teams with reputations for higher pressure or less patience, regardless of their prestige. Hocevar’s remarks indicate a turbulent but affectionate commitment to the team that has provided him with stability and genuine support.
Performance Updates and Looking Ahead
Despite not yet winning a NASCAR Cup Series race, Hocevar has started to achieve solid results. In Atlanta last weekend, he fought through a flat tire and other early issues to claim a fourth-place finish, showing determination and progress. Previously, the five-time NASCAR Truck Series winner nearly claimed victory at Echopark Speedway with a runner-up spot in the 2023 spring event. This weekend, Hocevar and the Spire team will head to Circuit of the Americas, where his best finish so far has been 13th, achieved last season.
As rumors swirl around big-name teams like Hendrick Motorsports, Hocevar’s intention is to build a legacy where he feels most valued and supported—at Spire. The dynamic between young drivers like Hocevar and experienced leadership from Jeff Dickerson and Dan Towriss is setting the tone for Spire’s approach in a competitive NASCAR landscape, as the team and its driver look forward to upcoming events and long-term collaboration.
Is @CarsonHocevar gonna drive for @TeamHendrick Motorsports ? https://t.co/AV8URiWSOQ
— Kenny Wallace (@Kenny_Wallace) February 26, 2026
