Carson Hocevar post-race after finishing second in the Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sunday, February 23, 2025. (Photo: Sydney Redden | The Podium Finish)
HAMPTON, Ga. — Carson Hocevar finished in second place in the Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, one spot short of his first career NASCAR Cup Series victory.
A caution came out on Lap 258 for a multi-car incident involving Austin Cindric and William Byron, sending the race into overtime. On the ensuing restart, Hocevar lined up in the second row in the bottom lane behind Ross Chastain.
When the race went back green, Hocevar gave Chastain a big push but decided to make it three-wide by climbing up into the middle lane, leaving the No. 1 with no help and effectively ending Chastain’s chance at the win. This allowed Christopher Bell and Kyle Larson to break away from the pack momentarily before Hocevar rejoined the battle.
Racing into Turns 3 and 4 on the final lap, Hocevar pushed Bell on the top just ahead of Larson, who was in the bottom lane, before splitting the two of them in the middle to try and take the lead. Unfortunately for Hocevar, the caution was thrown for the final time just before the checkered flag waved. This ended the race before the leaders could reach the start/finish line, giving the leader at the time of the caution, Bell, the victory.
Carson Hocevar (No. 77) racing Kyle Larson (No. 5) and Christopher Bell (No. 20) to the start/finish line at Atlanta Motor Speedway (Photo: Hayden Hutchison | The Podium Finish)
This decision came with some controversy however, as during the Daytona 500 and Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Atlanta, the race stayed green on the final lap despite there being a wreck behind the leaders.
“I’m glad I lost one now because it takes losing one to win one,” Hocevar told reporters following the race. “Hopefully this is a quick lose one and then win one.”
Hocevar’s race also had some controversial moments, leading to post-race discussions with both Chastain and Ryan Blaney, who went around off the nose of the No. 77 on Lap 234. Hocevar did not go into detail about the conversations, but said that he and Chastain, who get along well, will continue their conversation post-Atlanta.
“Sometimes you agree and disagree,” said Hocevar. “Ultimately, I felt like I made the decision that was to win the race and I think we’ll be able to continue to talk about it because obviously we have each other’s phone numbers.”
Carson Hocevar (middle) racing Kyle Larson (No. 5) and Christopher Bell (No. 20) at the end of the Ambetter Health 400. (Photo: Sydney Redden | The Podium Finish)
Hocevar did want to apologize to both Larson and Hendrick Motorsports, a fellow Chevrolet team, after the bump he gave Bell going into Turn 3 allowed him to win with the timing of the caution.
“First off, apologies to Larson and HMS, Mr. H, everybody,” he said. “They help us out a lot, and I didn’t realize we weren’t racing back to the line. The last two nights were kind of that way.”
The discussions of the manufacturer support at superspeedway-style tracks have been a hot topic since the August Daytona race last season when Parker Retzlaff pushed Harrison Burton past Kyle Busch for the win. Hocevar says that was not the goal, but was trying to do what it took to win the race.
“To have that happen, the result is not exactly any means what I wanted, but at the same time, I wanted to be (in the) middle and not pushing a car off (Turn) 4,” he said. “I never heard they were wrecking and you can’t assume they’re going to crash and cause a yellow and lift. So, it was just unfortunately bad timing and if it goes green and we win the race I don’t think that’s a problem.”
Carson Hocevar during the Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. (Photo: Sydney Redden | The Podium Finish)
While talking to reporters following the race, Hocevar acknowledged needing to clean up on some things at superspeedways but also remembers that he does not have very much experience racing towards the front late in this style of races.
“There are a few things I need to clean up on, but normally I’m riding 38th and trying to put myself in a decent spot to just finish in the teens,” said Hocevar. “So, this was the first time I’ve ever really been up front, especially at a superspeedway, pushing and doing everything. I feel like I did some things right, obviously just not everything right. ”
Even with all of the controversy and discussions post-race, this was a new career-best finish for Hocevar in the NASCAR Cup Series and a great run for Spire Motorsports as they continue to grow.
Finishing second stings, but Hocevar knows that the runner-up finish will be great for him and his No. 77 team as the season continues along.
“It sucks right now, but I’m sure tomorrow it’ll be just fine when I look at the points and know how close we were,” he said. “It’s tied with the best Spire (Motorsports) finish, so that’s ultimately really the big thing for me. Excited now just to improve that one spot better, we’ve finished third before and now we’ve finished second, hopefully next time we win.”
