Top Dog: Carson Hocevar
Love him or hate him, much fanfare has been made this season about the rising hotshot in Carson Hocevar.
Though Hocevar has been bitten by the bad luck bug on multiple occasions this season, he has presented a charismatic personality that few in the garage possess anymore.
Call it unpolished or rough around the edges, but it is a presence that Hocevar will hopefully not relinquish, even as he continues to mature on the race track.
Entering the annual All-Star Weekend at North Wilkesboro Speedway on Sunday (May 18), Hocevar had to rely on either the All-Star Open or the fan vote to secure his place in the main event for the first time in his career.
Dependence on the fan vote may have been shaky, but a front row starting spot set Hocevar’s eyes on a surefire way to make it. All he had to do was be one of the top two drivers after 100 laps.
After completing the first half of the Open in second, Hocevar’s team opted for two tires, placing him in the lead, a spot he never loosened his grip on en route to winning the preliminary event.
Now, with his spot in the All-Star Race locked up, the attention turned towards turning the Open win into a million-dollar triumph, though Hocevar was skeptical about his car’s handling.
It didn’t take long for Hocevar to take the unconventional route to entertaining the fans once again, sporting Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark’s jersey and throwing out a basketball at driver introductions. The WNBA team was also featured on Hocevar’s No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet.
The 22-year-old was certainly flashy during the event, slowly working his way forward, with a few brief meetings with the outside wall in between.
Hocevar worked his way into the top 15 before the new promoter’s caution was displayed with just over 30 laps remaining. As several drivers opted to pit, crew chief Luke Lambert kept the sophomore driver on the track, vaulting him into the top five.
Being on old tires in the hornet’s nest is not an ideal situation, especially when a million bucks is on the line, but Hocevar managed to stay afloat, nearly scoring a top 10 in his All-Star debut by finishing 11th.
One box after another continues to be checked off by the Portage, Mich. native, and gaining All-Star experience will serve him well, especially if North Wilkesboro earns a points race in the future.
Now, the No. 77 group will turn its attention to executing regular season events and potentially sneak in Hocevar’s first victory. For now, Hocevar will relish in his first taste of All-Star fever.
Underdog All-Stars
The underdogs were well represented in the 31st installment of NASCAR’s exhibition spectacle, with five dark horses fighting for a million dollars.
For the third consecutive season, Noah Gragson earned his spot among the All-Stars by virtue of the fan vote, looking to become just the second driver to win the event after transferring from the fans’ voices. The fans’ choice was a huge relief for Gragson, who had reported power steering issues during the Open.
Known as “The Mayor of Throttleville,” Gragson didn’t disappoint his supporters, putting on a show on the track. Power steering issues resolved, the Las Vegas, Nev. native inched his way forward as the night progressed, climbing up to 12th before the promoter’s caution.
Despite the varying strategies, as well as contact with Christopher Bell on pit road during the final stop, Gragson closed out the night in 13th as Front Row Motorsports’ lone representative in the race.
You can listen to Gragson’s reaction to winning the fan vote below.
There still might not be an infield tunnel at North Wilkesboro, but Ricky Stenhouse Jr. didn’t have to hand his watch to Richard Childress this year following last year’s fireworks with Kyle Busch in the All-Star Race.
The Hyak Motorsports driver had a quiet night this go around, ultimately finishing in 15th. Stenhouse started 17th and ran just inside the top 20 for most of the race.
Nevertheless, Stenhouse didn’t quite forget what happened at NWS from last year to say the least.
With names such as Bubba Wallace, Ty Gibbs, Ryan Preece, and Michael McDowell seeking to join Hocevar as transfer drivers from the Open, it was John Hunter Nemechek stealing their thunder to also ensure he would make his All-Star debut. A late caution in the preliminary race allowed Nemechek to take fresh rubber on the right side, paying off with a rally to the front that reserved his spot for a night under the lights.
Racing his way in was the highlight of the night for Nemechek, not to mention a win for Legacy Motor Club, though the main show didn’t have the same results. Nemechek fell a lap down at one point and was mired outside the top 20 at times before settling for 19th.
Last but certainly not least, the race featured the return of Harrison Burton to the Cup Series, even if it was a non-points event. Making his first Cup appearance since driving Wood Brothers Racing’s No. 21 one last time at Phoenix Raceway last fall, Rick Ware Racing fielded its No. 51 for Burton, who qualified for the event via his Cinderella victory at Daytona International Speedway last August.
The event stood as the All-Star debut for both RWR and Burton, a feel-good milestone for the building team. The NASCAR Xfinity Series regular tried one Hail Mary following the promoter’s caution by staying on the race track, but slipped to 20th when the checkered flag flew.
“Top Dog” Tournament Challenge
While NASCAR’s In-Season Tournament is still over a month out, it’s never too early to our own underdog rendition here, right? Over the next several weeks, underdogs will go head-to-head in a single-elimination style bracket to ultimately see who the top dog will be of the early summer portion of the schedule. The first round will commence with the iconic Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Seedings are based on points position, and the bracket will be released next week.
Small Team Scheme of the Race
It may not have been a Saturday race, but how about some Sunday night Fever for your enjoyment?
In partnership with Gainbridge, Hocevar’s No. 77 carried the colors of the Indiana Fever, sporting the warm livery of orange and red on the sides, making for one All-Star-worthy scheme.
Entering his fifth year with Frontstretch, Luken Glover is the author of The Underdog House, shedding light on the motivation and performance of NASCAR's dark horse teams as they strive to fight to the top. Additionally, Glover reports for the site at various events, and he contributes in the video editing department.
A 2023 graduate of the University of the Cumberlands, Glover is a middle school math and PE teacher, as well as a basketball coach. He is passionate about serving in his church, playing/coaching a wide variety of sports, and researching motorsports history.