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NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series

Late Fuel Strategy Doesn’t Pan Out For Hocevar at Kansas

KANSAS CITY, KANSAS – SEPTEMBER 09: Carson Hocevar, driver of the #42 Worldwide Express Chevrolet, sits in his truck after running out of gas on the final lap of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Kansas Lottery 200 at Kansas Speedway on September 09, 2022 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Carson Hocevar has thrived on intermediate-sized race tracks this year in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. That’s why he was so excited for Friday’s Round of 10 finale at Kansas Speedway.

But unlike races like Charlotte and Texas where he contended for a victory, his Niece Motorsports team missed it at Kansas. Hocevar entered Friday’s race just three points below the cutline, but after earning just one point in the first two stages, he fell to nearly a must-win situation.

Two early cautions disrupted the early part of Stage 3, and on the second caution, Hocevar’s team made its bed. Crew chief Phil Gould planned on the race staying green so Hocevar could stretch it all the way on fuel. Gould may have been the only one that believed in the call.

“Phil Gould made a hell of a call that even I didn’t see it,” Hocevar told FS1. “Fifty-six laps to go, there’s going to be a yellow, right? It’s a cut-off race and it’s the Truck Series of all things.”

Fortunately for them, it stayed green. They had their chance.

Around Lap 103, race leader John Hunter Nemechek pitted for his final service of the night and the rest of the contenders followed him. Nemechek would have cycled through to the lead, but only Hocevar was in his way.

Hocevar held a 15-second lead, but Nemechek wasted no time cutting into it. With 10 laps to go, Nemechek was within about five seconds and was chopping off over half a second a lap. He skillfully navigated lapped traffic and closed on Hocevar’s bumper at the white flag.

At that point, there wasn’t much Hocevar could do. Nemechek passed him in Turn 1 of the final lap and Hocevar sputtered on the backstretch. Nemechek eased across the line for his second win of the season while Hocevar settled for second.

“I don’t know how I’m supposed to handle these,” Hocevar said. “As many times as I’ve come close, I should be used to this. I’m going to be my bridesmaid at my own wedding.

“I thought I saved too much, could’ve gone harder and built a gap, but into [Turn] 3 coming to the white flag I started sputtering.

“[Nemechek and Kyle Busch Motorsports] were the class of the field all night. Just got beat. Had the winning strategy, just sucks it didn’t work out.”

Hocevar failed to advance to the Round of 8 alongside Matt Crafton after making it last season. In 19 races, Hocevar has seven top-fives and 11 top-10s, as well as other near-wins that don’t show up on paper.

But now, Hocevar will regroup and look to finish the season strong, starting with the UNOH 200 presented by Ohio Logistics at Bristol Motor Speedway. The race is scheduled for Thursday, September 15 at 9 p.m. ET on FS1.

 

 

Nathan Solomon serves as the managing editor of The Podium Finish. He has been part of the team since 2021 and is accredited by the National Motorsports Press Association. Solomon is a senior in the Jandoli School of Communication at St. Bonaventure University. Contact him at NSolly02@Yahoo.com.

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