Spire Motorsports Suspends Carson Hocevar for NASCAR Season Finale
The team cited a lack of professionalism following an on-track incident at Martinsville Speedway.
Spire Motorsports announced on Tuesday that driver Carson Hocevar has been suspended for the final race of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season. The 23-year-old driver will not compete in the championship event scheduled for this weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway. In his place, veteran racer Justin Haley has been tapped to pilot the No. 77 Chevrolet.
The disciplinary action follows an incident during the November 1 race at Martinsville Speedway, where Hocevar was involved in a collision with Austin Cindric. Data from the event indicated that Hocevar brake-checked Cindric multiple times, causing significant damage to the front of Cindric’s vehicle and forcing a premature end to his race. Additionally, Hocevar faced accusations of intentionally spinning his own car to trigger a caution flag during the same event.
In a formal statement, Spire Motorsports co-owner Jeff Dickerson emphasized that the decision was driven by the organization's core values rather than competitive standings. Dickerson noted that while it would have been simpler to defer to NASCAR officials for potential penalties, the team felt compelled to act independently to uphold its standards of integrity and respect.
"The way Carson conducted himself at Martinsville doesn't meet the standard we set for our drivers, team members or employees, and there are consequences for that," Dickerson stated. He added that while the organization maintains a supportive relationship with Hocevar, the team believes that competing at the Cup level is a privilege that requires a consistent level of professionalism.
Hocevar acknowledged the gravity of the situation in a public statement, describing the suspension as an embarrassing moment in his career. He expressed regret for his actions on the track, noting that he had let down the individuals who provided him with the opportunity to drive at the Cup level. "I crossed the line with my on-track actions and gave Jeff and Spire Motorsports no option but to put someone else in the 77 car this weekend," Hocevar wrote.
The suspension marks a turbulent end to a season that had otherwise seen Hocevar emerge as a prominent figure in the sport. Known for his aggressive driving style and charisma, the young driver secured his first Cup Series victory at Talladega in April and successfully qualified for the postseason. Across 35 races this year, he achieved 12 top-10 finishes and held the 12th position in the points standings prior to the announcement.
This is not the first time Hocevar has faced scrutiny for his conduct on the track. His young career has been marked by several incidents involving other competitors, including a highly publicized altercation at Bristol in September. As the team looks toward the future, Spire Motorsports indicated that it remains focused on regrouping for the upcoming season, with plans to prepare for the Daytona race in February.