4 months agoCarson Hocevar is making his very first NASCAR Cup Series start this weekend at Gateway in place of Corey LaJoie in the #7 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports. This ride opened up for this weekend due to LaJoie replacing Chase Elliott in the #9 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports due to Elliott's one-race suspension for intentionally wrecking Denny Hamlin at Charlotte. When asked about the opportunity, Hocevar responded, "It's super special to have my name in a hat, let alone to have the conversations and especially have the conversations with Spire. The relationship they have with Hendrick, and I think it's great for Corey and Spire as well as I get to fulfill a childhood dream and go run laps and be a part of the show on Sunday." In practice at the track this weekend, Hocevar was 16th-fastest and then qualified 26th for this weekend's Enjoy Illinois 300 race, four spots better than Corey LaJoie qualified in his car.--Jordan McAbee
Source: Heavy