Carson Hocevar retains key NASCAR Cup Series partner for 2026
MOORESVILLE, N.C. – Zeigler Automotive Group will return to Spire Motorsports to partner with Carson Hocevar for multiple NASCAR Cup Series races in 2026.
The Michigan native and 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year will have Zeigler on the No. 77 Chevrolet for 10 points races plus Feb. 1’s The Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium.
“Sponsoring Carson Hocevar for the 2026 season is about more than putting our name on the No. 77. It’s about supporting someone who represents the future of this sport and the way we do business,” said Aaron J. Zeigler, president and CEO of Zeigler Auto Group. “Carson brings intensity, authenticity, and a relentless drive to improve every time he takes the track. That mindset will take him far, and we can’t wait to see what he does next as he continues to push what’s possible.”
A 23-year-old come Jan. 28, Hocevar is coming off of a 2025 season where he earned two top-five finishes and nine top-10 finishes. He earned a pair of career-best runner-up finishes at Atlanta Motor Speedway in February and Nashville Superspeedway in June. He also earned his first career pole at Texas Motor Speedway in May.
“I’m excited to continue our partnership with Zeigler Automotive Group,” Hocevar said. “I grew up right down the street from their headquarters in Kalamazoo, so it is cool to see how it has all come full circle. The whole Zeigler family have been such great supporters of me and the No. 77 team since day one. I’m looking forward to continuing to build our partnership on and off the track and can’t wait to park the Zeigler Chevrolet in victory lane this year.”
The distinct yellow and black Zeigler paint scheme will adorn Hocevar’s No. 77 Chevy Camaro at these races in 2026:
- Bowman Gray Stadium – Feb. 1
- Michigan International Speedway – June 7
- Pocono Raceway – June 14
- Chicagoland Speedway – July 5
- Atlanta Motor Speedway – July 12
- Indianapolis Motor Speedway – July 26
- Iowa Speedway – Aug. 9
- Richmond Raceway – Aug. 15
- Bristol Motor Speedway – Sept. 19
- Kansas Speedway – Sept. 27
- Martinsville Speedway – Nov. 1
Hocevar will have fellow drivers Daniel Suarez (No. 7) and Michael McDowell (No. 71) as his teammates in 2026. This will be Suarez’s first season as his teammate and McDowell’s second season as his teammate.
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Jonathan Fjeld View All
Jonathan Fjeld is the co-owner of the The Racing Experts, LLC. He has been with TRE since 2010.
A Twin Valley, MN, native, Fjeld became a motorsports fan at just three years old (first race was the 2002 Pennsylvania 500). He worked as a contributor and writer for TRE from 2010-18. Since then, he has stepped up and covered 24 NASCAR race weekends and taken on a larger role with TRE. He became the co-owner and managing editor in 2023 and has guided the site to massive growth in that time.
Fjeld has covered a wide array of stories and moments over the years, including Kevin Harvick's final Cup Series season, the first NASCAR national series disqualification in over 50 years, Shane van Gisbergen's stunning win in Chicago and the first Cup Series race at Road America in 66 years – as well as up-and-coming drivers' stories and stories from inside the sport, like the tech it takes for Hendrick Motorsports to remain a top-tier team.
Currently, he resides in Albuquerque, N.M., where he works for KOB 4, an NBC station. He works as a digital producer and does on-air reports. He loves spending time with friends and family, playing and listening to music, exploring new places, being outdoors, reading books and writing among other activities. You can email him at fjeldjonathan@gmail.com