“I am speed.” The moment Lightning McQueen spoke those words in the movie Cars by Pixar, he became an icon. That same cinematic rush of adrenaline and nostalgia came roaring to life in Carson Hocevar’s Daytona 500 commercial, which instantly became one of the most unforgettable NASCAR marketing moments in recent history.

This wasn’t just a commercial—it was a moment that broke the internet. As soon as the commercial aired, fans took to social media with overwhelming excitement, humor, and declarations of newfound loyalty. Its impact is further evidenced by Hocevar securing a renewed sponsorship deal with Zeigler Auto Group for the 2025 season. This partnership will see Zeigler as the primary sponsor for the Spire Motorsports driver for eight races, starting with the Daytona 500 which did not go as planned!

The rookie breaks the internet with Mcqueen’s speed coming to the Daytona 500

A rain delay after the 11 laps in the Daytona 500 forced a red flag. At the time of the rain delay, Carson Hocevar sat 41st on the leaderboard, having lost the draft due to fuel pressure issues. Fortunately, his team had already resolved the problem before the red flag, setting him up to be back in the fight once the race resumed. But, he could not finish the race. Hocevar’s run in the race might be far from what the team expected but at least, he went down in style.

Carson Hocevar made an X post of his commercial. It opened with a scene straight out of a Pixar storyboard— the Spire Motorsports’ No. 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, but with animated eyes on the windshield. For a moment, it felt like stepping back into childhood. But then, in a seamless, breathtaking transition, the animation faded, the roar of a real NASCAR engine took over, and Hocevar’s car blasted down the track at full speed. This wasn’t just a clever nod to Cars—it was a full-throttle, high-octane declaration that NASCAR is both nostalgic and electrifyingly real. The blend of animation, realism, and pure racing spectacle struck a chord with fans, igniting social media.

Also, during the rain delay, while some drivers relaxed or strategized, Carson Hocevar took a different approach—by jumping right back into racing, virtually on iRacing. He then took to social media, inviting fans to his Twitch stream alongside a photo of his racing simulator setup inside his hauler at Daytona International Speedway.

The 22-year-old is surely passionate about racing and fans have started to hail him as the ‘GOAT’ for his dedication and fiery commercial!

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Hocevar is a ‘GOAT’ for fans triggered by nostalgia

“Due to this, I have adopted Carson Hocevar as my NASCAR favorite going forward,” This was a fan’s comment not just about a great commercial—it was about a driver who understands the culture of NASCAR and entertainment alike. He has a history of embracing racing culture in a fun and authentic way—like when he paid tribute to Talladega Nights by wearing a cougar-themed helmet at Talladega Superspeedway, a nod to Ricky Bobby’s famous scene in the film. He also paid hilarious respect to his mentor Ross Chastain once.

Then, in perhaps the boldest statement of all, a fan declared: “Carson is the GOAT.” Calling a rookie the ‘Greatest of All Time’ might seem premature, but the sentiment reflects just how quickly Hocevar is making an impact. He has already earned the title of 2024 NASCAR Cup Series ‘Sunoco Rookie of the Year’ and achieved a career-best third-place finish at Watkins Glen. His off-track charisma and on-track performance are shaping him into one of the most talked-about drivers in the sport.

Another fan, completely new to the sport, chimed in with: “I know absolutely nothing about racing, but I am willing to bet on this guy after this video.” This reaction speaks volumes. NASCAR has long been seeking new ways to draw in fresh audiences, and Hocevar may have just delivered one of its best recruiting tools yet. His ability to blend pop culture, humor, and high-speed action is breaking barriers—pulling in viewers who may not have followed the sport before but now want to.

Finally, the most fitting reaction came from a fan who simply said: “This gives Cars vibes.” That single comment encapsulates why this commercial resonated so deeply—it wasn’t just about NASCAR, it was about connecting to something bigger: childhood memories, excitement, and the love of racing itself.

Hocevar might not have finished the first race, but, it is just the season getting started. Fans may see him turn into the ‘GOAT’ by the end of this season (allegedly).