Hocevar benched for season finale

Carson Hocevar will miss the final race of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season.

Spire Motorsports announced on Tuesday, Nov. 3, that the 23-year-old driver of the No. 77 car is suspended for the event at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The decision removes a popular competitor from the field as all three top NASCAR series conclude their slate this weekend.

The team cited Hocevar's conduct during the Nov. 1 race at Martinsville. Accusations surfaced that he intentionally spun his car to trigger a caution flag. He also had a collision with Austin Cindric, adding to a reputation for aggressive driving.

Justin Haley, a NASCAR veteran and former Spire driver, will take over the wheel. He will race in Hocevar's place at Homestead on Nov. 8.

In a statement, Spire Motorsports said the choice was difficult but necessary. "To us, however, this isn't about money or points. We believe in respect. Our integrity matters," the team wrote. They added that the way Hocevar conducted himself did not meet the standards set for drivers and employees.

Hocevar responded in his own statement, calling the suspension an embarrassing day. "I let the people down that gave me the opportunity of a lifetime to drive a Cup car," he wrote. He said he crossed the line with his on-track actions, leaving owner Jeff Dickerson and the team with no option but to replace him.

Hocevar enters the season finale sitting 12th in the points standings. In 35 races this season, he recorded one win, 12 top-10 finishes, and six top-fives. He earned his first Cup victory at Talladega on April 26 and advanced to the postseason for the first time in his career. He expressed hope to return in 2027 as a better driver and teammate.