Hocevar Faces Tough Luck in Michigan
Carson Hocevar’s weekend at Michigan International Speedway was marred by persistent left-rear tire issues, relegating him to disappointing finishes in both the Craftsman Truck Series and the NASCAR Cup Series.
In the Truck Series race on Saturday, Hocevar was leading with just eight laps remaining when a flat tire forced an unscheduled pit stop. Despite this setback, he returned to the track only to encounter similar woes on Sunday in the Cup Series. After taking the lead on lap 151 while attempting to conserve fuel, he fell victim to another flat left-rear tire with only 19 laps to go.
Although Hocevar managed to pit for fresh tires and finished the race, he crossed the line in 29th place, one lap down, just behind William Byron, who suffered a fuel shortage in the race’s final laps. The absence of a caution flag during the concluding run further hindered Hocevar’s chances of reclaiming a competitive position.
Reflecting on the circumstances, Hocevar stated, “It’s such a double-edged sword. There’s nothing where I could go back and just be like, ‘We could be better in this moment to win the race, or not.’” His frustration was palpable as he lamented the missed opportunities, having led a career-high 32 laps during the race.
Despite the setbacks, Hocevar remained steadfast in his pursuit of a playoff berth. He entered Michigan four points below the cutline in 18th place but did not drop in the standings following the weekend, currently facing an 18-point gap with 11 races remaining. “I’d much rather be in these spots and have these things happening than be slow,” he added, emphasizing his determination to grab a win and secure his position in the playoffs.
As he moves forward, Hocevar aims to leverage his recent competitiveness into a critical victory, which would ensure his place in the postseason.
