Can Carson Hocevar Outclass Rookie Contenders Zane Smith & Josh Berry at the Daytona 500?

With all the anticipation in the air, the 2024 season will end up becoming a breakout year for some of the fresh faces on the track. As Zane Smith is stepping up to the big leagues after a solid four-year stint in the Truck series, Carson Hocevar is making the same leap after three years. Meanwhile, Josh Berry is finally landing a full-time gig in the Cup series, a whole decade since he first hit the NASCAR scene in Xfinity.

But could Carson Hocevar, the youngest of the trio, outpace his more seasoned competitors? What’s stirring the pot and leading some to bet on Hocevar possibly having the upper hand over both Zane Smith and the battle-hardened Josh Berry?

Could the rookie showdown boil down to Carson Hocevar and Zane Smith taking on Josh Berry?

Zane Smith isn’t exactly sweating bullets right now. Meaning, no one’s really expecting him to come flying out of the gate with a win and a Playoff spot straight off the bat. While it’s great to shoot for the stars, Smith’s got his eye on the Rookie of the Year trophy. But, with Carson Hocevar and Josh Berry in the running, it’s going to be a photo finish. Being teammates, Smith and Hocevar are gonna be keeping tabs on each other all year long in 2024.

Now, flipping over to Smith’s side of the story, he’s been a mainstay in the Craftsman Truck Series, bagging the 2022 Championship, getting three poles, and making a beeline for victory lane nine times in just four seasons. And then there’s Spire Motorsports, who’s been climbing the ranks, all thanks to Gainbridge and a slick new shop [that came in with the deal with Kyle Busch Motorsports]. Even when the gear wasn’t exactly cream of the crop, Smith proved he could hold his own with the big dogs, like that top-10 finish at the Coca-Cola 600 in ’23. But can Spire’s setup, especially with Smith just visiting from Trackhouse, really cut it for a shot at Cup Series glory in 2024?

Smith’s got the talent, but is Spire going to have all the equipment he needs? It looks like his big moment may be on pause until he’s rocking the Trackhouse jersey full-time. Yet, with a level head that could give Josh Berry a run for his money, Smith’s playing it cool, knowing he’s got the muscle of a top-tier team behind him. And let’s not forget about Josh Berry.

Even though he’s with the legendary Stewart-Haas Racing, it’s been a bit of a rough patch, with 2023 being a winless year. But Berry’s stepping into a squad that’s got its eyes on the prize, especially with Rodney Childers calling the shots. To be at the top of the list among the rookies in 2024, Berry’s got to up his game on the large tracks, which haven’t exactly been his playground.

Then there’s Carson Hocevar, who might not have as many wins or experience in his pocket as Berry or Smith, but he’s got that fire. Sharing the Spire pit with Smith means they’re both going to ride the same roller coaster of highs and lows. With four wins in the Truck Series and some standout performances in the Xfinity and Cup Series, Hocevar seems to be playing the long game for Spire. Yet if he wants to leave a mark in the Cup Series, he’s got to up his game and dodge the mistakes from his Truck Series days.

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If Hocevar can tighten up his act and steer clear of the slip-ups from the 2023 Truck Series finale, he might just pull ahead of Smith and Berry. But if he hits a snag, Berry, with his track record and team backing, might just have the edge over Smith. Still, the word on the street is Hocevar’s got some growing up to do.

NASCAR insider asserts that it’s Zane Smith who could be the game changer and not the young 19-year-old rookie

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Diving into the nitty-gritty of their track records and recent races in the Truck Series, NASCAR tire changer and Stacking Pennies co-host, Ryan Flores gave his two cents. He’s on the fence about Carson’s maturity, despite noticing some improvement. Carson’s still prone to slip-ups on the track, especially when it comes to making split-second decisions.

Sure, Carson turned some heads with his performances in the Cup Series in 2023, but when it comes to Zane, well, Flores can barely contain his excitement. The moment the Trackhouse deal was unveiled, it was clear how much racing in the Cup Series full-time meant to Zane Smith.

Flores is betting on Zane Smith to really shake things up, consistently lifting his team’s game and keeping them in the thick of the action. It’s this mix of raw talent and sheer drive that’s got everyone on the edge of their seats, waiting to see what this powerhouse partnership will unleash.

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