Spire Motorsports has inked a long-term contract extension with 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year (ROTY) Carson Hocevar, one that will keep the polarizing 23-year-old behind the wheel of the No. 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for the foreseeable future.
The announcement, made on Thursday by the NASCAR Cup Series operation, says that Hocevar will continue in his current position “into the next decade”, signaling a deal lasting at least four years — a rarity in NASCAR’s current climate.
A native of Portage, Michigan, Hocevar has shown considerable strength throughout his two full-time campaigns in the NASCAR Cup Series, highlighted by a pair of runner-up finishes and nine top-10s in his sophomore season driving the No. 77.
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?: https://t.co/3AqUtCn07M pic.twitter.com/ifbrUmXmRF
— Spire Motorsports (@SpireMotorsport) February 5, 2026
“It’s a pretty big moment for our company to announce an extension with Carson [Hocevar] that takes us out for multiple years,” said Jeff Dickerson, co-owner of Spire Motorsports. “It’s not just about knowing he’ll be here with us for the long haul, but it gives our sponsors and competition group the foresight to make their own plans knowing he’s in the seat of the No. 77 as far as we can see.”
Widely considered to be among NASCAR’s most talented rising stars, the decision by Spire to lock down Hocevar long-term is wide, considering the upcoming off-season is projected to have several high-profile free agents.
“It has been an absolutely rewarding experience getting to know Carson and watching him grow up, and learn from the good and bad both at and away from the racetrack,” Dickerson added. “I love him like a son, and it means a great deal to me, personally, knowing he’ll be here for several years. I expect this announcement could test the effectiveness of my blood pressure medication, so I’ve alerted my physician that he may have to adjust the dosage appropriately, but it’ll be worth it.”
In addition to his responsibilities as a full-time driver in the NASCAR Cup Series, Hocevar will also be aiding Spire Motorsports in chasing the 2026 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Owner’s Championship with the No. 77 Chevrolet Silverado RST.
“I love to race, and there’s really no place better to race than here,” said Hocevar, who will run a total of 13 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series events.
“This shows we’re all committed and eager to race with each other for a long time,” continued Hocevar. “I think of Jeff (Dickerson) as a father figure, but the same could be said for Luke (Lambert, crew chief), Tyler (Green, spotter), Bill (Anthony, Spire Motorsports’ president), and all the No. 77 guys. Everyone in the building has really become a family to me. Spire is such a different team now compared to how it was my rookie season, and especially when I made my debut in 2023. It’s fun to know I’m going to be around the Cup garage for a long time, and really a dream come true.”
The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series campaign will begin with the DAYTONA 500 at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday, February 15 at 2:30 PM ET on FOX, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.
