The rumor mill is still hard at work. During Truck Series Qualifying at Kansas, Michael Waltrip said on Fox’s broadcast that Carson Hocevar has a Cup deal for the 2024 season. Waltrip gave no further details about where the 20-year-old could be going.
Michael Waltrip just said during Truck Series qualifying, "It is going to be fun to watch Carson Hocevar in the Cup Series full-time net year. I cannot say where he is racing yet, but I know he has a deal with a team."
Interesting.— Chad (@MrFantasyNASCAR) September 8, 2023
Despite still being an overwhelmingly young driver, Carson has caught the eye of everyone in the sport. He made his Cup debut at Gateway this year behind the wheel of the Spire Motorsports #7, while he didn’t finish the race Hocevar was very vocal about how much he learned and how grateful he was for the opportunity. Since then, he has hopped behind the wheel of the 42 for Legacy Motor Club. He wheeled the LMC Chevy to its second-best finish all season last weekend at Darlington and is slated to drive the car again at Kansas and Bristol. But we are still asking if two, soon to be three, starts are enough to prove that Hocevar is ready for a full-time ride in the Cup series.
Right now we only know of a few Cup rides that are definitely open. After his strong performance in the 42 last weekend, many fans began pinning him to take over that ride full-time next year; however, Legacy Motor Club officially silenced those speculations by announcing that John Hunter Nemechek will pilot the 42 next season.
Another option for Hocevar is the Kaulig 31. We’re expecting to hear more about this ride this week according to the timeline Chris Rice provided several weeks ago. Carson has a pre-existing relationship with Chevy and would bring enough sponsors to work alongside support from Matt Kaulig’s Leaf Filter business. Hocevar could be just the surprise Rice referred to.
Another option the 20-year-old could be looking at is the 77 at Spire Motorsports. As we mentioned previously, Hocevar made his Cup debut with Spire and has additionally made several Xfinity starts for the team. A move to the 77 could be the perfect combination of familiar and new as he transitions to rookie status in the Cup series.
A move from Trucks straight to Cup seems like it’s skipping a step on the totem pole. NASCAR has no set requirements for a driver to work his or her way up through the ranks. Hocevar moving straight to Cup may be a surprise to some, but ultimately it’s not a move NASCAR is unfamiliar with.
@WhoDeyDusty mentions that Hocevar performed quite well last weekend.
@MaxandKylefan notes that he also thinks Hocevar is going straight to Cup.
@Michael25782778 seems to believe that Hocevar will end up in the 77 next season.
@RowdyRuTS18 reminds us that Hocevar is still in contention for a Truck Championship this year.
@kalebvestal1 asked Hocevar about what competing in the Cup series means to him and he let us in on a full circle moment.
Regardless of where Hocevar ends up in 2024, I think we can confidently agree that he will be an asset to whatever wheel he holds.
