Overview
- Carson Hocevar, forced to start at the rear Sunday for unapproved adjustments, wheeled Spire’s No. 77 Chevrolet to fourth at Darlington to match his season best.
- Hocevar said Hall of Famer Mark Martin told him to save tires until 25 laps to go, then attack, a blueprint built for Darlington’s high tire wear and narrow groove.
- Sticking to that approach, he led two laps late and locked in P4 with a bold three wide pass on Chase Briscoe and Austin Dillon in the final laps.
- Kyle Petty praised the 23 year old as a driver others must contend with and cast him in a “changing of the guard,” and Martin applauded the execution in person and online.
- Hocevar sits 13th in points with roughly a 12 point cushion over the playoff cut, and coverage noted his Dale Earnhardt throwback as he carries momentum into Martinsville.