Carson Hocevar Shines at Homestead-Miami

Carson Hocevar stood tall and victorious with a standout Homestead win. (Photo: Erik Smith | The Podium Finish)

HOMESTEAD, Fla. — Once Carson Hocevar won his first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Texas Motor Speedway, it seems he has found a knack for tallying more victories when they matter.

No matter the track size, layout and location, the 20-year-old Portage, Michigan native has responded to the bell. The driver of the No. 42 Worldwide Express Chevrolet Silverado kept those good times coming last Saturday afternoon at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Starting from the second position, it was clear that Hocevar was ready to contend in the Baptist Health Cancer Care 200. From jump street, Hocevar tallied a respectable third in Stage 1 before placing eighth in Stage 2, netting 11 valuable stage points.

On this occasion, Corey Heim appeared to be the driver to beat in his No. 11 Chateau Elan/Explore Braselton Toyota Tundra. Heim swept the stages for TRICON Garage as he looked prime to win his fourth race of the year.

However, once Stage 3 was underway, Heim appeared to have some issues that precluded his presence toward the end of the race. Meanwhile, Hocevar was in the mix along with Zane Smith, his future NASCAR Cup Series teammate in 2024.

In fact, Hocevar and Smith looked like they would be in a competitive duel for the win in the closing moments of the race. Then, Ben Rhodes, who did not have the pure pace to compete for the win, went for a bit of a Hail Mary move by pitting inside the final 60 laps of the race for fresh tires and fuel.

This decision prompted Rhodes to take the lead by a hefty margin over Smith and Hocevar. That advantage would become essentially nil once Smith and Hocevar, who pitted later than Rhodes, to close the gap inside the final 11 laps.

Nothing could stop Carson Hocevar from winning at Homestead-Miami Speedway. (Photo: Erik Smith | The Podium Finish)

Before the decisive moments inside the final 11 circuits, Hocevar drove past Smith for the second position, setting up the brief pursuit of Rhodes. With little resistance, Hocevar got past Rhodes to take the lead on Lap 124 and he never looked back.

Hocevar bested Rhodes to the stripe by 2.705 seconds, punching his ticket into the Championship 4. Initially, Smith was credited with the runner-up result before being disqualified for violating NASCAR Rule Book number 14.4.7.I Windshield Support.

As of press time, Front Row Motorsports issued this statement last Saturday after the race.

“We are disappointed in the disqualification from today’s NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series event.

“We will continue to work and discuss with NASCAR officials back at the NACAR R&D Center in Concord, N.C. before making any further comment.”

Nevertheless, Smith came up short of making the Championship 4, unable to defend his Truck championship.

On the other hand, Hocevar was jubilant about winning at Homestead and earning a chance to battle for his first Truck title.

“We were so fast,” Hocevar said to FOX NASCAR‘s Josh Sims. “This thing was so good. It kills me I can’t do a burnout. We have to take this motor home to Phoenix.

“This truck was so good. We got behind on pit stops and just lost track position which really was unfortunate. But man, it’s so good to feel… I love winning! I love it!”

Heim was on the precipice of winning his fourth Truck race of the season. Nevertheless, he settled with a third place finish and his first Championship 4 spot along with Truck stalwart Grant Enfinger.

Still, Heim thought something went awry with his fast Tundra in the final stage.

“Really, I thought we had them covered,” Heim said. “We swept the first two stages and were kind of put-putting around waiting for the third stage, and all of a sudden, it went out like a light switch.

Regardless of what may have happened to Heim, he will duke it out for a Truck championship on Friday evening, Nov. 3 with Enfinger, Rhodes and Hocevar. Particularly for Hocevar, his Homestead win was one for the ages in terms of overcoming obstacles, an intangible that may be indelible come Phoenix Raceway race weekend.

In a week and a half, Carson Hocevar hopes to have a similar outcome at Phoenix. (Photo: Erik Smith | The Podium Finish)

“We’ve just got to win at Phoenix for Worldwide Express,” Hocevar said. “Peppers Eyewear, thank you, Peppers Polarized Eyewear, Worldwide Express, Niece Motorsports, Al Niece, everybody… yea, I was mad.

“I thought we could win today with our truck. Even with all the setbacks from the debris and everything, we had a shot to win and we did just that.”

Stage 1 Top 10 Finishers

1. Corey Heim
2. Ty Majeski
3. Carson Hocevar
4. Grant Enfinger
5. Stewart Friesen
6. Christian Eckes
7. Nick Sanchez (R)
8. Matt Crafton
9. Chase Purdy
10. Tyler Ankrum

Stage 2 Top 10 Finishers

1. Corey Heim
2. Bayley Currey
3. Nick Sanchez (R)
4. Stewart Friesen
5. Ty Majeski
6. Matt Crafton
7. Chase Purdy
8. Carson Hocevar
9. Ben Rhodes
10. Rajah Caruth (R)

Baptist Health Cancer Care 200 at Homestead-Miami Speedway Race Results

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship 4 Standings