Carson Hocevar hasn’t clinched Rookie of The Year honors in the NASCAR Cup Series this season, but with a lead exceeding 100 points and only two races remaining, it’s merely a formality.
The Portage, Michigan has assembled an incredible debut season in NASCAR’s premier division, highlighted by a third-place result at Watkins Glen International in September and six top-10 finishes.
Sunday’s Straight Talk Wireless 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway was the most recent of those top-10s and a showing that several would consider a breakout run for Hocevar, engaging in hand-to-hand combat with the heavy hitters in the NASCAR Cup Series.
we’re here. p9 today. ? pic.twitter.com/JPBKDPtBC7
— Carson Hocevar (@CarsonHocevar) October 27, 2024
The driver of the No. 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 started Sunday’s 400-mile contest from 15th, but in the opening stage of Sunday’s race was able to methodically climb through the mid-field until he reached a spot inside the top-10.
It was at that point that Hocevar began making some noise on Sunday, continuing his ascension through the running order, getting himself inside the top five by the time the green-and-white checkered flag was shown to end the first stage.
At a track like Homestead-Miami Speedway which requires drivers to ride mere inches from the outside retaining wall with no margin for error, the 21-year-old rookie driver was flawless, maintaining his spot at the front of the pack.
In the closing stages of Sunday’s event, as more drivers and teams made positive adjustments and closed the gap between themselves and the leaders, Hocevar had more drivers to fight with for a spot just outside the top five.
As an incredible finish between Tyler Reddick, Denny Hamlin, and Ryan Blaney unfolded at the front of the pack, Hocever was left to battle with the likes of Alex Bowman and AJ Allmendinger, ultimately coming home in ninth.
Kept chippin’ away.@CarsonHocevar | @zeigler_racing pic.twitter.com/Yn4WLEGwAi
— Spire Motorsports (@SpireMotorsport) October 27, 2024
The total body of work for Hocevar during Sunday’s Straight Talk Wireless 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway resulted in an average running position of 9.79 — the best in his 43-start career in the NASCAR Cup Series.
It’s a breakout run that shows the world exactly what Hocevar is capable of while competing in the NASCAR Cup Series, even though an impressive rookie campaign has already done that splendidly.
Hocevar will look to finish off a strong rookie campaign with success at Martinsville Speedway and Phoenix Raceway over the next two weeks, before preparing for what could be an explosive NASCAR Cup Series campaign in 2025.
