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Thinkin’ Out Loud at Talladega: Carson Hocevar Could Be NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver

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What Happened?

Down the frontstretch, Carson Hocevar got the shove he needed as chaos unfolded behind to pull ahead of Chris Buescher and earn his first career NASCAR Cup Series win at Talladega Superspeedway (April 26). It’s the second Cup win for Spire Motorsports, but their first win in a full-distance race.

Although Buescher’s line fell apart, the No. 17 still finished second. Hocevar’s pusher Alex Bowman wound up third (his best finish since returning to the NASCAR after vertigo issues), while Chase Elliott and Zane Smith rounded out the top five in fourth and fifth, respectively.

What Really Happened?

The Talladega crowd sounded like they were celebrating another Dale Earnhardt-like victory Sunday afternoon.

After all, they were witnessing something we’ve never seen before. That’s hard to do in an era when every superspeedway race feels formulaic.

Enough has already been said about the Next Gen car and its lack of ability on superspeedways, which was on full display again this weekend. While the car and race were not particularly great, the finish – specifically the race winner and winning celebration – will completely rewrite the memory of the 2026 Talladega spring race for fans.

That’s all because of Hocevar.

The young gun for Spire has been the subject of numerous articles, podcasts, and other media over the past handful of seasons, ranging from heavy criticism and calls for suspension to high praise for the entertainment factor he brings to the racetrack. 

Toward the end of last season, NBC announcer Leigh Diffey called him the “Hurricane.” Others say he’s NASCAR’s next superstar. I’ll go even further: one day, Hocevar may hold the title of NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver.

Carson Hocevar No. 77 Chili's Ride the Dente car NASCAR Cup Series Talladega

Carson Hocevar Wins 1st Career Cup Race at Talladega

The 23-year-old has certainly rubbed people the wrong way with unsportsmanlike antics of purposefully bringing cautions out and wrecking others. While Hocevar has grown up and moved away a bit from some of those childish antics we saw out of him in the Truck Series, he’s also shown a profound determination to make his presence known on the track – and he won’t back down from anyone. 

That’s been a major point of frustration from Hocevar’s competitors, but it’s also contributed to extra attention as Spire has grown into weekly competitors near the front. Off the track, Hocevar is unafraid to show his personality through Twitch streams and social media posts.

In the grandstands, more and more people are wearing merchandise representing the No. 77. In the media, reporters and broadcasters are saying Hocevar is a future superstar.

Hocever finally broke through to match the hype and get that first Cup win. While it may not be too popular with his competitors, it will earn him some respect. Plus, it was incredibly popular with the fans. Just listen to that reaction, even before he drove while hanging out the windshield. (And yes, as cool as it was, I hope we never see it again).

Tyler Reddick, driver of the #45 Rockstar Energy Drink Toyota, Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford, Josh Berry, driver of the #21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford, Austin Cindric, driver of the #2 Menards/FrogTape Ford, Connor Zilisch, driver of the #88 Red Bull Chevrolet, and Bubba Wallace, driver of the #23 Xfinity Toyota, spin after an on-track incident during the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

The Big 6: Questions After Talladega, Including If NASCAR Should End Stage Racing Here

Spire as a team is on an upward trajectory, with Hocevar leading the way. He could have moved to a bigger team, but he opted to stay put by signing a long-term deal with the organization. Either way, Hocevar himself is a brand, and it will continue to grow as he wins more races. One day – maybe sooner than you think – I believe he’ll be seen as the face of NASCAR.

Oh, and speaking of Earnhardt comparisons, I’ll leave this clip here.

Paint Scheme of the Race

When I filled in for usual Thinkin‘ Out Loud author Dalton Hopkins a few years ago, I usually chose a podium of three amazing paint schemes. I now realize he only picks one scheme each week because it is paint SCHEME of the race, not paint SCHEMES of the race. However, I’m going to meet in the middle and pick my two favorite cars from this week. Just don’t tell Dalton.

First of all, I have to go with Phorm Energy’s debut with William Byron. That car did get some hate this week because it’s the third or fourth different red, white and blue scheme the No. 24 will run this year. But how can you not be patriotic during America’s semi-quincentennial? Also, the car’s design is actually nearly an exact copy of the can design for Phorm’s Screamin’ Freedom flavor.

Are green cars unlucky? It wasn’t for Noah Gragson, who earned his first top-10 finish since the Coca-Cola 600 last year. Now, I hate pickles, but I couldn’t look away from Gragson’s Grillo’s Pickles pickle beer car. The green and blue stood out against the multiple red and black cars in the field.

What’s Next?

Fresh off of his first Cup Series win, Hocevar will return to the site of his first-ever NASCAR victory in any of the sport’s top three divisions when the Cup Series visits Texas Motor Speedway for the only time this season. Hocevar won the Truck Series held race here in 2023, breaking through with Niece Motorsports as part of a four-win season that cued his ascension into Cup.

NASCAR returns to The Lone Star State for the Wurth 400 presented by LIQUI MOLI. Coverage will be provided by FOX Sports 1 starting at 3:30 p.m. ET.

Donate to Frontstretch

Caleb began sports writing in 2023 with The Liberty Champion, where he officially covered his first NASCAR race at Richmond in the spring. While there, Caleb met some of the guys from Frontstretch, and he joined the video editing team after graduating from Liberty University with degrees in Strategic Communications and Sports Journalism. Caleb currently work full-time as a Multi-Media Journalist with LEX 18 News in Lexington, Kentucky and contributes to Frontstretch with writing and video editing. He's also behind-the-scenes or on camera for the Happy Hour Podcast, live every Tuesday night at 7:30!

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4 thoughts on “Thinkin’ Out Loud at Talladega: Carson Hocevar Could Be NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver”

  1. I could see Hocevar becoming most popular driver. He generally finishes above the level of his equipment, so he clearly has skill.

    He is unapologetic for his aggressive driving, which has always been a siren song for many NASCAR fans. NASCAR has long needed a villain who doesn’t come off as whiny. People (me included) are more apt to tune in for this, whether to cheer for or against the “black hat”. But only if they aren’t whiners, as Kyle Busch was in his prime.

    Unlike some other drivers, Hocevar has thus far kept any drama at the track. Sponsors don’t mind on track drama, and in fact, typically they like it, as it means extra coverage without dragging them into having to make PR statements and decisions. This is where ill advised comments/actions away from the track are a problem. So the money may be there to fund Hocevar in premium equipment, which is needed to gain/retain popularity.

  2. Im too far west to have seen him in Michigan but spotted him in the trucks and became a fan right away. Speed and personality. Car owners dream.

    • Yes, I have been a fan since he took over the Truck broadcast during a rain delay and interviewed several drivers, cracking us up with his humor and personality. Also being a Kyle Busch fan, there hasn’t been much to celebrate the past few years, until now.

  3. I’m always happy to see someone get their first win. He’s been chipping away at it for quite a while. Running up front frequently and rocking the status quo, for better or for worse.

    While I’m a long way from calling myself a fan, he has definitely impressed me on several occasions.

    BTW, the media needs to lay off on the Earnhardt comparison. That’s just pure hyperbole.

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