In NASCAR, fuel isn’t just about speed. It’s strategy, survival, and sometimes sheer suspense. The Next-Gen car has turned fuel mileage into a game of inches, where saving a splash can steal a win. Think Austin Dillon’s 2017 Charlotte victory. He won the race by stretching his final fuel run. Dillon stayed out while most frontrunners pitted with about 32 laps to go (Lap 368 of 400), saving enough fuel to make it to the end. But not everyone’s sold on the slow burn, especially not Carson Hocevar.

While most drivers lift early and coast to conserve fuel, Spire Motorsports’ #77 is not interested in calculators or quiet coasting. He’s got a full tank and something to prove. As the field prepares to tiptoe through Talladega’s tight packs and pit windows, NASCAR’s new antagonist has a bold strategy.

Carson Hocevar is banking on a ‘Big One’

Carson Hocevar has never been shy about speaking his mind. After his aggressive drive at Atlanta Motor Speedway that saw Ryan Blaney, Kyle Busch, and Ross Chastain fume at him, he delivered a straightforward verdict after the race. “We’re here to win races, not be a boy band and love each other, you know, and play on the playground together,” said Hocevar. He was also confronted by Ryan Blaney and his mentee Ross Chastain after the race. So, as the Cup Series moves to its largest superspeedway at Talladega, is Hocevar going to change his approach?

Daniel DiOrio, also known as ‘Spider,’ asked Hocevar on the Rubbin’ is Racing podcast, “Recently, we’ve seen at the superspeedway tracks a lot of fuel saving strategy. Do you think that’ll be the same this weekend at Talladega, and on the flip side, can we expect some aggression out of you like we saw at Atlanta?” Hocevar’s response was blunt, as he said with a smirk on his face, “Yeah, I mean I think it’ll be the same type of race [as Atlanta]. I told my guys I’m just going to run the thing out of fuel because I’m just bored of it, and I’m just going to do it out of protest.”

At superspeedways like Talladega and Daytona, drivers often run bumper-to-bumper at half-throttle for long stretches to conserve fuel while using the draft to maintain track position. But Carson Hocevar seems fed up with the tame approach. He wants chaos, unpredictability, even if it means running out of gas before the checkered flag.

Hocevar is prepared to hold it wide open, just like he did for a lot of the race at Atlanta, leading to him shoving Ryan Blaney during a Turn. However, with Talladega known for its cautions and the ‘Big One,’ refusing to lift and hoping for a caution might be the way to go, and that’s what Hocevar is banking on. “So, I’m just going to hold it wide open the entire time and hope we get a yellow that I don’t run out of fuel. But if not, I’ll just run the thing out of fuel.” Carson Hocevar’s disdain stems from more than just opinion. Rather, it’s personal experience. And a recent one.

At the 2025 Daytona 500, he suffered fuel pressure issues late in the race and finished 30th. It was a frustrating end after spending much of the day aggressively battling in the draft. After the race, he took to social media, highlighting how drivers often run at half throttle during large portions of these races, which he and many fans find dull and contrary to the spirit of racing. That race seems to have shaped his current philosophy: if you’re not going full throttle, why bother at all?

His comments might’ve sounded tongue-in-cheek, but Hocevar’s body language said otherwise. His team, already bracing for the unexpected, seems to be backing his play, even if it turns into a caution-triggering gamble. Lest we forget, the Yellawood 500 last October saw a 28-car wreck fest, which was the largest recorded in Cup Series history. So Hocevar’s strategy is not without consideration. His stance could ignite conversation across the paddock about the balance between strategy and spectacle. But if more drivers share his attitude, could NASCAR’s superspeedway racing style see a cultural shift soon?

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The antagonist approves the new marketing strategy ahead of Talladega

Chili’s has scored big with NASCAR driver Carson Hocevar’s enthusiastic approval for its wild “Margarita” marketing stunt ahead of the Talladega race weekend. The casual dining chain, a Spire Motorsports sponsor, unveiled a creative twist on the classic mechanical bull by replacing it with a giant blue Margarita shaker branded with Chili’s logo. This interactive attraction was set up in the Talladega infield. It offers fans aged 21 and over a chance to sample Margaritas while riding the shaker from Friday through Saturday afternoons.

Carson Hocevar, who drives the Chili’s-sponsored No. 77 car for Spire Motorsports, took to social media to share the campaign with a humorous caption: “Good excuse to head to the blvd.” The “Blvd” refers to Talladega Boulevard, the famous party zone known for its lively fan events during race weekends. His lighthearted endorsement highlights how Chili’s marketing stunt perfectly captures the fun and festive atmosphere surrounding Talladega. However, rain has played spoilsport with the Boulevard event being canceled due to the weather.

This campaign builds on Chili’s growing presence in NASCAR since 2024. It first partnered with Spire Motorsports and launched its “Ride the ‘Dente” campaign, celebrating its iconic Presidente Margarita. The Talladega activation creatively blends Chili’s signature cocktail culture with the high-energy world of NASCAR, engaging fans beyond the racetrack.

For Carson Hocevar, who has had a challenging start to the 2025 season, the Margarita shaker stunt offers a welcome distraction and a chance to connect with fans memorably. Chili’s imaginative marketing and Hocevar’s genuine enthusiasm make this one of the season’s most talked-about promotional efforts heading into Talladega.