UPDATE 3/8: Carson Hocevar Melts Twitter

DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 17: Carson Hocevar, driver of the #42 Worldwide Express Chevrolet, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series NextEra Energy 250 at Daytona International Speedway on February 17, 2023 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
7. That was it. That was the tweet that set the rumor mill ablaze Tuesday afternoon while fans anticipate Chase Elliott's replacement driver for Phoenix.

What’s Happening?

Well, nothing has happened yet. Truck Series driver Carson Hocevar tweeted cryptically “7” midafternoon Tuesday. Fans ran with the suggestion, drawing the conclusion that Hocevar would be in Spire Motorsports’ number 7 Cup entry while Corey LaJoie jumps into the number 9 for Hendrick in place of Chase Elliott.

What You Need to Know:

  • While he has been known to troll, Hocevar teased something on Twitter with his tweet of “7” on Tuesday.
  • Corey LaJoie’s Spire ride is the number 7, and he is rumored as a potential substitute for Chase Elliott.
  • Whatever it means, fans have enjoyed speculating the meaning of 7 all afternoon.

UPDATE 4:30 PM EST: Hocevar added on to the enigma on his Instagram story.

It sure looks likes the Spire number 7.

Main Characters

UPDATE 5:15 PM EST

Hendrick Motorsports announces Josh Berry will race the 9 on ovals and Jordan Taylor, a sports car driver for Chevy in IMSA, will run COTA in the NAPA Camaro.

Hocevar got us. No doubt about it. TDD will have more on the situation Wednesday with fan reaction to being trolled.

In the Stands

Eric thinks 7 means Corey is waving good-bye to his number 7 Camaro.

Seth thinks it’s Justin Allgaier that will be leaving a seat open for Hocevar while filling in for Elliott.

While Eric thinks Hocevar just knows “7-time” Jimmie Johnson will be getting the call.

From the Pressbox

John Roberts added to the intrigue from his SiriusXM broadcast studio.

UPDATE 4:30 PM EST:

Mike Joy shared that the precedent is there for Hendrick to contract a driver from a smaller team to fill in.

Whatever it means, as Terrell Owens, who played football 7 seasons outside of San Francisco and lost 7 fumbles over the course of his career, and holds the Dallas Cowboys franchise record for most consecutive games with a receiving touchdown with 7 says, “Getcha Popcorn Ready.”

UPDATE 3/8:

In what seems like a let down from the speculation, Hocevar did announce an exciting opportunity for him. He will drive the number 77 for Spire Motorsports in the Xfinity Series for six races.

Carson will make his Xfinity debut at Dover. His other races will be Charlotte (Spring), Nashville, Michigan, Darlington, and Bristol (Fall).

Spire’s Xfinity effort will have support from JR Motorsports.

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