Michigan Hometown Hero's Goal
NASCAR's Carson Hocevar Seeks Historic Hometown Win at Michigan International Speedway
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Carson Hocevar heads into the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway on June 7 with a chance to make history. The 23-year-old Portage, Michigan native — driving the No. 77 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports — is looking for his second win of the 2026 season and could become the first Michigan-born driver ever to win a Cup Series race at the Brooklyn, MI track, according to Newsday.
Hocevar is no stranger to MIS. He grew up about 85 miles west of the track and attended races there as a kid. Six weeks ago, he won at Talladega Superspeedway for his first career Cup victory. Now he wants one at home. "The home track lets me walk a little bit lighter," Hocevar said, per WRAL.
A 57-Year Drought No Michigan Driver Has Broken
Michigan International Speedway opened in 1969. In all that time, no driver born in Michigan has won a Cup Series race there. High-profile Michigan natives like Brad Keselowski and Erik Jones have tried and failed. Benny Parsons won at the track in 1978 but was born in North Carolina, according to Winnipeg Free Press.
Hocevar grew up watching those races as a fan of Dale Earnhardt Jr. He joked that every time he missed a Michigan race as a kid, Earnhardt won. Now Hocevar is the one with a shot at history. A win Sunday would end a drought stretching back more than five decades.
Talladega Win Turned Hocevar Into a Championship Contender
Hocevar's breakthrough came on April 26, 2026, when he won the Jack Link's 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. After crossing the finish line, he drove his car down the frontstretch to face the fans — a direct nod to Earnhardt's 2014 Daytona 500 celebration, according to ca.sports.yahoo.com.
That win moved Hocevar to 9th in the Cup Series standings with 383 points. He has 1 win, 3 top-fives, and 6 top-tens in 2026. A second win at Michigan would give him extra Playoff Points and strengthen his case for a deep postseason run, per WRAL.
From Quarter-Midgets to NASCAR's Biggest Stages
Hocevar started racing quarter-midgets at age seven and won 15 national championships before moving to short tracks. He raced at Berlin Raceway in Marne, MI, and later at Kalamazoo and Owosso Speedways. His 2024 rookie Cup season ended with the Sunoco Rookie of the Year award — making him the third Michigan native to earn that honor, according to Tribune Democrat.
Spire Motorsports was once considered a back-marker team. Under Hocevar, the team sits 9th in the 2026 standings and is outperforming veteran outfits. Crew chief Luke Lambert has helped shape Hocevar's aggressive style into something more consistent and championship-ready.
Rivals Question His Style, But Michigan Fans Don't Care
Hocevar's rise has not been without friction. Drivers like Ross Chastain called him "super impatient" and "reckless" after a 2025 incident at Nashville. Ryan Blaney said, "You can say you're sorry all you want, but if you don't learn from them and make a change, then everyone thinks you're lying," per Newsday.
Back in Michigan, none of that noise seems to matter. Hocevar held a press conference at MIS on June 6, talking about inspiring a new generation of local fans. The 2.0-mile oval hosts 200 laps Sunday at 3:00 PM ET. For a kid from Portage who once sat in those grandstands, the moment could hardly be bigger.
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