Overview
- Hocevar will race a blue-and-yellow throwback at Darlington modeled on Dale Earnhardt’s 1981 Wrangler look, backed by Spire Motorsports and sponsor Chili’s.
- He told reporters and an interview with Eric Estepp that he does not like being compared to Earnhardt and prefers to be judged as himself.
- He acknowledged his aggressive reputation, saying he has “hit enough people,” but added that the comparisons have grown beyond what he intended.
- He admitted he meant to alert Dale Earnhardt Jr. about the tribute but forgot to send the text before the scheme’s reveal.
- Chili’s said it chose the design to tap into growing chatter about Hocevar’s style, as veterans like Richard Petty have drawn parallels, even as Hocevar remains winless in the Cup Series under a long-term Spire deal.