Carson Hocevar to make 100th career Cup Series start at Chicagoland

JOLIET, Ill. — Carson Hocevar is set to make his 100th career NASCAR Cup Series start at Chicagoland Speedway during the Eero 400 this Sunday.

Hocevar, 23, made his first career Cup Series start at Worldwide Technology Raceway (Gateway) in 2023 as a fill-in for Corey LaJoie in the No. 7.

Then, he returned to the series to finish out the season in the Legacy Motor Club No. 42 after Noah Gragson’s suspension before going full-time back with Spire Motorsports in 2024 for his rookie season.

Since then, him and Spire have been a perfect match. Both the organization and driver found themselves growing in the sport together.

The rise has been noticeable, and he was awarded with a lengthy contract extension that will keep the ever-rising partnership together into the 2030s.

The extension stems directly from his progress so far. From, his rookie season to his junior season, Hocevar has shown improvement in every statistical category.

In 2024, he had four top ten starts, six top ten finishes, and a lone top five at Watkins Glen.

His second season saw a spike in qualifying performance, but the finishing position failed to compare. He and Spire improved to 13 top ten starts with a maiden pole a Texas. Then nine top tens with two of those in the top five.

This season, he is on track for the best season of his career only halfway through the campaign. Through 18 races he has eight top ten starts with a second career and consecutive pole at Texas.

Then, seven top tens, and four top fives without any DNF’s thus far. Of course, the stat also includes his breakthrough win at Talladega.

Staff writer Ryan Kemna asked Carson how much time has flown by since making his first career start to now.

“You just kind of blink and you’re at 100…I’m going to blink twice at be at 200 so that’s why I try to enjoy them (milestones) as much as possible.” Hocevar told TheRacingExperts

“I’m just glad I got a win in the win column before a hundred” he reluctantly added.

He will share his 100th start milestone with fellow Cup Series driver Zane Smith. Unlike Hocevar, Smith did not join him with a win before his 100th start.

Hocevar will look for his second pole of the season and a third total pole on an intermediate later today at Chicagoland Speedway.

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