Cup Series Rookie Carson Hocevar Gets Ready to Face the ‘Potentially Overwhelming’ Pressure at His Daytona 500 Debut

NASCAR’s rising star, Carson Hocevar, is warming up as a full-time driver in the Cup Series. Driving the No. 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for Spire Motorsports, the 21-year-old is heading into the 2024 Cup Series opener, the Daytona 500, in the highest spirits, aiming for the Rookie of the Year award.

The qualifying session for the Daytona 500 on Wednesday saw Joey Logano securing the pole position. He was followed by Michael McDowell, and Kyle Larson, and so on with Hocevar also securing a spot in Duel 1. But with so many skilled competitors vying for the Harley J. Earl Trophy, Hocevar acknowledged the challenges that may jitter him on the way.

Carson Hocevar relishes ‘surreal’ opportunity as he gears up for Daytona 500

Gearing up for his very first entry into the Great American Race of NASCAR, Carson Hocevar is savoring every moment before the grand day. In a recent interview with Racing America, he shared how he can acclimatize to the race to prevent him from being a nervous wreck.

“I think the soak-in part will be before I put the helmet on, like everybody in racing or at least the really good guys. You know, you put the helmet on, you become a different person. That’s how you’re gonna tell who’s really gonna make it or not…Once I get the helmet on I forget I’m even running around the f**k for the 500.”

Hocevar credited the crowds for hyping up the race. “You know half a million people seems like, on the infield, there and around…meeting more people than you’re not.” He further added, “Every family member is calling to be able to go to this one…every sponsor’s coming, every potential sponsor’s there. If you’re gonna meet anybody throughout the year, you’re gonna meet them all at Daytona, and then you see them later throughout the year.”

He further said, “I think that one’s gonna be the potentially overwhelming, Man, we really made it, this is surreal. But then we put the helmet on and it’s just another race.”

Carson Hocevar made nine Cup Series starts under Spire Motorsports in 2023. At the World Wide Technology Raceway, he raced his way inside the top 15 before a brake issue ended his race. His best performance last year was at Bristol Motor Speedway, where he finished 11th. Hocevar’s achievements have earned him some good sponsors to light up his path for the Daytona 500.

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Hocevar’s wheels will be fueled by two sponsors for Daytona

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Carson Hocevar’s No. 77 ride will have on board two primary co-sponsors – Zeigler Auto Group and Gainbridge, a Group 1001 Company. To commemorate the new partnership with Hocevar, Zeigler will be launching an online video series, ‘Convos with Carson.’ Here, fans will be able to shoot questions at the talented NASCAR driver. Incidentally, Hocevar hails from the same area where Zeigler is based- Michigan.

Mike Nichols, an official at Group 1001, said, “The Daytona 500 is one of the most iconic races in the world and Gainbridge is thrilled to support Carson Hocevar as he makes his debut in the Great American Race.” He further added, “We’re looking forward to seeing Carson mix it up on the high banks at Daytona and put himself in position to have a great day.”

The 66th Daytona 500 is set to flag off on February 18th, 2:30 PM, Eastern Standard Time. Carson Hocevar has joined the bandwagon of skilled rookie racers, Josh Berry and Zane Smith. While he aims for rookie of the year, how do you think the youngster will fair in his first ever Daytona 500?

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