Spire Motorsports suspends Carson Hocevar for season finale

Spire Motorsports announced on Tuesday that Carson Hocevar will be suspended for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season finale. The 23-year-old driver will not race in the No. 77 car at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Nov. 8, marking the end of his campaign before the final weekend of racing.

The suspension follows criticism of Hocevar's driving during the Nov. 1 race at Martinsville. Several drivers accused him of intentionally spinning his car to trigger a caution flag. Hocevar also had a contact incident with Austin Cindric during that event, reinforcing his reputation for aggressive competition on the track.

The team issued a statement explaining the reasoning behind the move. Spire Motorsports stated that the decision involved multiple variables and had a cascading effect on the organization. The team noted that while it could have left the matter to NASCAR officials, it prioritized respect and integrity over points or financial considerations. The statement added that the right decision for a valued team member can sometimes cause short-term pain.

Justin Haley, a NASCAR veteran and former driver for Spire, will take the wheel in Hocevar's place for the finale. Hocevar responded to the news in his own statement, describing the announcement as an embarrassing day. He wrote that he let the people down who gave him the opportunity to drive a Cup car. Hocevar acknowledged that his on-track actions crossed a line, leaving owner Jeff Dickerson and the team with no choice but to replace him for the weekend.

Hocevar built a large fan base this season through his aggressive style and charisma. He recorded his first Cup Series win at Talladega on April 26 and advanced to the postseason for the first time in his career. The driver was also involved in a widely viewed altercation at Bristol in September. In 35 races this season, Hocevar secured one win, 12 top-10 finishes, and six top-five results. He entered the final race ranked 12th in the points standings.