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Carson Hocevar Scores First Cup Win in Wild Talladega Finish

The breakthrough highlighted how revised stage lengths reshaped strategy at a crash‑prone superspeedway.

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The 'big one' struck Stage 2 during the NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway.
Apr 25, 2026; Talladega, Alabama, USA; O'Reilly Auto Parts Series driver Corey Day (17) celebrates winning the race with his crew after the AG-Pro 300 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Talladega Superspeedway. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images

Overview

  • Hocevar, 23, claimed his first NASCAR Cup Series victory Sunday at Talladega, using a final‑lap push from Alex Bowman to hold off Chris Buescher, with Bowman third, Chase Elliott fourth and Zane Smith fifth.
  • A 26‑car crash on lap 115 triggered a red flag and wiped out several contenders, and NASCAR said all drivers involved were evaluated and released from the infield care center.
  • The race used new stage lengths of 98/45/45 laps, which split fuel windows and pit timing, and reports tallied 61 penalties overall with many for entering pit road before it opened.
  • Points leader Tyler Reddick started on pole after a rainout of qualifying, then a late right‑front flat sent him into the wall to bring out a caution before he recovered to finish 14th.
  • The victory delivered Spire Motorsports its second Cup win and first at full race distance since 2019, with Hocevar leading 19 laps and capping the day with an unconventional door‑ride celebration.