Carson Hocevar Unveils Dale Earnhardt Throwback for Darlington
What’s Happening? Spire Motorsports Driver Carson Hocevar is leaning into his Dale Earnhardt comparisons this weekend, with his No. 77 Chevrolet…
Despite the growing comparisons to The Intimidator’s racing style, NASCAR Cup Series driver Carson Hocevar recently said he does not like being compared to NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Sr.
Since his swift ascension through the NASCAR ranks, which saw him jump from full-time in the Craftsman Truck Series straight into the NASCAR Cup Series, Spire Motorsports driver Carson Hocevar has drawn a lot of attention to himself.
Not only has Hocevar established himself as one of the sport’s most popular drivers and most divisive personalities, but the Michigan native has also proven to be one of the most talented drivers on the circuit.
Since winning the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year in 2024, Hocevar has continued to improve right alongside his growing team, recently inking a long-term contract that will take him and the No. 77 team into the 2030s.
Though he has shown his skills on track, the praise has also come with a heaping tablespoon of controversy, as Hocever continues to wear the proverbial black hat as one of the most aggressive racers in the Cup Series.
While some scold his driving, others have praised it, with some fans even comparing him to a fellow Cup Series Rookie of the Year winner, and seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion Dale Earnhardt Sr.
The comparisons between The Intimidator and Hocevar have gained the attention of names like Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt Jr., with everyone who’s anyone laying out their take in this hot-button debate.
Hocevar has even leaned into the comparisons this season, driving a black Chili’s Ride the ‘Dente scheme at Circuit of the Americas that the fanbase deemed the “Intimi’dente.”
This weekend, the team is leaning even more into the comparisons, as Hocevar will drive a tribute paint scheme to Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s 1981 Wrangler Pontiac.
Nonetheless, ahead of his debut in the blue and yellow, Hocevar is playing down the comparisons to Earnhardt.
What’s Happening? Spire Motorsports Driver Carson Hocevar is leaning into his Dale Earnhardt comparisons this weekend, with his No. 77 Chevrolet…
During a recent interview with Eric Estepp of Out of the Groove, Hocevar pushed aside any comparison to Earnhardt, saying that while he appreciates it, he doesn’t see the comparisons beyond his driving style and his black car.
“Just because, every now and again, I run into people, and now I’m running a black car here and there, I don’t really see it,” said Hocevar.
The 23-year-old even jokingly compared the aggressive driving aspect of the conversation to run-ins Hendrick Motorsports prospect Corey Day has had of late, saying, “I love Corey Day. Like, I’m a big fan of his, but I was like, shit, he’s Taylor Arnard too. He’s been running into people.”
But, no matter how he competes on track, as Hocevar sees it, there will never be another Dale Earnhardt, and that’s something he is content with.
“Even if I had won everything, even if I have 10 cup wins and we had a shot to win the championship last year, nobody’s the next Dale. I’ve been sitting here in every interview. I just want to be me. It a lot easier.” — Carson Hocevar
Prior to this, Hocevar explained that the whole idea of a Dale Earnhardt throwback wasn’t his idea, as Chili’s was the one who approached him with the concept last season.
Hocevar joked that the idea is a good business decision, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t uncomfortable with some of the promotion that has gone into the paint scheme, saying recreating the photo of Earnhardt with his 1981 car contradicts his downplaying of the comparisons.
Regardless, Hocevar hopes that by staying who he is, he can have any amount of the success that the NASCAR Hall of Famer had during his career.
“It’s a lot easier if I’m just me and I’m just out there racing,” Hocevar said. “I’d love to have one percent of the success Dale had.”
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