Carson Hocevar is happy he won’t see Corey Heim in the NASCAR Chase.
Not because of the tension in the rivalry the two young Cup drivers developed over the 2026 season, but because Hocevar doesn’t care to face any more competition than is already stacked against him in the 10-race postseason playoff.
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Hocevar, in his third full-time Cup season, earned the 12th of 16 seeds in the Chase, which begins Sept. 6 at Darlington (4 p.m. CT, USA Network). Heim, who won’t gain full-time status with 23XI Racing until 2027, did not make the Chase after competing in only nine Cup races.
“(Heim) is pretty fast, so with him sitting at home that just makes life a little easier for me,” Hocevar said. “Personally, I wish some of these other guys would stay home too because it makes life a little bit easier.”
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Carson Hocevar, NASCAR driver of No. 77 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports
NEWTON, IOWA – AUGUST 09: Carson Hocevar, driver of the #77 Zeigler Auto Group Chevrolet, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol at Iowa Speedway on August 09, 2026 in Newton, Iowa. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
(Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
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Carson Hocevar, NASCAR driver of No. 77 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports
NEWTON, IOWA – AUGUST 09: Carson Hocevar, driver of the #77 Zeigler Auto Group Chevrolet, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol at Iowa Speedway on August 09, 2026 in Newton, Iowa. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
(Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
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Carson Hocevar, NASCAR driver of No. 77 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA – APRIL 26: Carson Hocevar, driver of the #77 Chili’s Ride the ‘Dente Chevrolet, celebrates after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
(Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
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Carson Hocevar, NASCAR driver of No. 77 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA – APRIL 26: Carson Hocevar, driver of the #77 Chili’s Ride the ‘Dente Chevrolet, celebrates with fans after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
(Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
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Carson Hocevar, NASCAR driver of No. 77 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA – APRIL 26: Carson Hocevar, driver of the #77 Chili’s Ride the ‘Dente Chevrolet, speaks to the media during a press conference after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
(David Jensen, Getty Images)
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Carson Hocevar, NASCAR driver of No. 77 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA – APRIL 26: Carson Hocevar, driver of the #77 Chili’s Ride the ‘Dente Chevrolet, celebrates after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
(Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
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Carson Hocevar, NASCAR driver of No. 77 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA – APRIL 26: Carson Hocevar, driver of the #77 Chili’s Ride the ‘Dente Chevrolet, celebrates with the checkered flag after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
(Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
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Carson Hocevar, NASCAR driver of No. 77 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA – APRIL 26: Carson Hocevar, driver of the #77 Chili’s Ride the ‘Dente Chevrolet, celebrates with a burnout after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
(Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
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Carson Hocevar, NASCAR driver of No. 77 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports
Apr 26, 2026; Talladega, Alabama, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Carson Hocevar (77) celebrates winning the Jack Links 500 NASCAR Cup Series race in Victory Lane at Talladega Superspeedway. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images
(Vasha Hunt, Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images)
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Carson Hocevar, NASCAR driver of No. 77 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports
Apr 26, 2026; Talladega, Alabama, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Carson Hocevar (77) wears the ceremonial wreath presented by Miss Alabama Emma Terry after his victory at the Jack Links 500 NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images
(Vasha Hunt, Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images)
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Carson Hocevar, NASCAR driver of No. 77 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports
Apr 26, 2026; Talladega, Alabama, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Carson Hocevar (77) celebrates winning the Jack Links 500 NASCAR Cup Series race in Victory Lane at Talladega Superspeedway. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images
(Vasha Hunt, Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images)
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Carson Hocevar, NASCAR driver of No. 77 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA – APRIL 26: Carson Hocevar, driver of the #77 Chili’s Ride the ‘Dente Chevrolet, places the winner sticker on his car after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
(David Jensen, Getty Images)
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Carson Hocevar, NASCAR driver of No. 77 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA – APRIL 26: Carson Hocevar, driver of the #77 Chili’s Ride the ‘Dente Chevrolet, celebrates with Miss Alabama Emma Terry in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
(David Jensen, Getty Images)
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Carson Hocevar, NASCAR driver of No. 77 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA – APRIL 26: Carson Hocevar, driver of the #77 Chili’s Ride the ‘Dente Chevrolet, celebrates with the checkered flag after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
(Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
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Carson Hocevar, NASCAR driver of No. 77 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports
KANSAS CITY, KANSAS – APRIL 19: Carson Hocevar, driver of the #77 Chili’s Ride the ‘Dente Chevrolet, signs autographs for NASCAR fans on the red carpet prior to the NASCAR Cup Series AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway on April 19, 2026 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
(David Jensen, Getty Images)
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Carson Hocevar, NASCAR driver of No. 77 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports
BRISTOL, TENNESSEE – APRIL 12: Carson Hocevar, driver of the #77 Spectrum Chevrolet, greets fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway on April 12, 2026 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Matt Kelley/Getty Images)
(Matt Kelley, Getty Images)
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Carson Hocevar, NASCAR driver of No. 77 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports
Mar 22, 2026; Darlington, South Carolina, USA; Spire Motorsports Carson Hocevar (77) comes out for the Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images
(Scott Kinser, Scott Kinser-Imagn Images)
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Carson Hocevar, NASCAR driver of No. 77 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 15: Carson Hocevar, driver of the #77 Spectrum Chevrolet, reacts after the NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 15, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
(Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
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Carson Hocevar, NASCAR driver of No. 77 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 13: Carson Hocevar, driver of the #77 IKEA/Best Buy Chevrolet, looks on in his truck during qualifying for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Fresh from Florida 250 at Daytona International Speedway on February 13, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
(Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images)
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Carson Hocevar, NASCAR driver of No. 77 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports
Nov 2, 2025; Avondale, Arizona, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Carson Hocevar (77) during the NASCAR Championship race at Phoenix Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
(Mark J. Rebilas, Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)
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Carson Hocevar, NASCAR driver of No. 77 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports
Lexie Hull, Caitlin Clark, Sophie Cunningham and NASCAR driver Carson Hocevar participate in The Annika driven by Gainbridge at Pelican pro-am.
(Mike Wolfe/Gainbridge)
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Carson Hocevar, NASCAR driver of No. 77 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports
Nov 22, 2024; Charlotte, NC, USA; Rookie of the Year Carson Hocevar and his guest Holly Hollan during the NASCAR Awards Banquet at Charlotte Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
(Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images)
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Carson Hocevar, NASCAR driver of No. 77 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports
Nov 22, 2024; Charlotte, NC, USA; Rookie of the Year Carson Hocevar during the NASCAR Awards Banquet at Charlotte Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
(Jim Dedmon, Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images)
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Carson Hocevar, NASCAR driver of No. 77 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports
Oct 21, 2023; Homestead, Florida, USA; NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Carson Hocevar (42) celebrates after winning the Baptist Health Cancer Care 200 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
(Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports)
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Carson Hocevar, NASCAR driver of No. 77 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Carson Hocevar celebrates after winning the Rackley Roofing 200 Race at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Friday, June 23, 2023.
(Denny Simmons / The Tennessean)
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Carson Hocevar, NASCAR driver of No. 77 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Carson Hocevar speaks after winning the Rackley Roofing 200 Race at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Friday, June 23, 2023.
(Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean)
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Carson Hocevar, NASCAR driver of No. 77 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Carson Hocevar celebrates with a burnout after winning the Rackley Roofing 200 Race at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Friday, June 23, 2023.
(Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean)
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Carson Hocevar, NASCAR driver of No. 77 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Carson Hocevar celebrates winning the Rackley Roofing 200 Race at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Friday, June 23, 2023.
(Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean)
CARSON HOCEVAR RANTS ABOUT BROADCAST: Carson Hocevar rants about NASCAR racing product, broadcasts: ‘We’re on the ventilator’
Jimmie Johnson weighs in on the Carson Hocevar effect
While he was coming up, Hocevar raced part-time for Jimmie Johnson’s Legacy Motor Club. After not saying much about Hocevar since then, Johnson, the seven-time Cup champion, expressed his feelings on X on Aug. 28, saying Hocevar “is one of many personalities our sport needs.”
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It would have been fine with Hocevar if Johnson stopped here. But he didn’t.
Johnson went on to give his opinion about Hocevar in several points.
“1. He drove for us and has only spoken to (us) once in 2ish years since.
2. I’m frustrated with his mistakes wrecking our cars.
3. I by no means won over the core @nascar fan base.
And 4. Merch sales don’t lie”
With Hocevar’s popularity skyrocketing, his merchandise currently ranks number one in online retail sales through the official NASCAR Shop. It was 32nd at this point in 2025.
After seeing the post, Hocevar texted Johnson.
“I thought it was a compliment. He owns a race team that we race against, and he was talking about me, so that’s cool,” said Hocevar, who raced for Legacy Motor Club for eight races in 2023. “I texted him afterward and said, ‘Whether it was meant to be or not, I’ll take this as a compliment. I appreciate it.’ We started texting back and forth, and truthfully it seemed like he was a fan of everything I’m doing in terms of him wanting what’s best for the sport.”
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Carson Hocevar studies racing, just not like others
Hocevar, who reached victory lane at Talladega in the No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet, has a reputation for being kooky and a bit aloof. He prefers a more traditional, instinctive way of driving rather than relying on data analytics.
And that won’t change for the 23-year-old driver heading into his first NASCAR Chase.
“For me, I don’t like looking at data; I don’t think it helps me at all,” Hocevar said. “It allows me to really just kind of be free and enjoy it.”
It’s not that Hocevar is lackadaisical about his craft. His engagement is simply different than most of his competitors.
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“You sound like you’re not prepping, but all I think about is racing,” Hocevar said. “And if all I think about is racing, then I don’t need to work that hard at going to find more stuff about racing. For me it’s just about enjoying Monday through Friday and trying to go and have fun and let loose.”
The race day plan is always the same for Hocevar’s team.
“All it is for us is every time we go to the racetrack we try to go as fast as we can, we see if we’re good enough and our car speed is fast enough to be up front,” he said. “If not, we’ll work on it next time.”
Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on X @MikeOrganWriter.
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This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Why Carson Hocevar found ‘compliment’ in Jimmie Johnson’s rant
