NASCAR CUP SERIES: AUTOTRADER 400

February 22, 2026

Carson Hocevar

Pit Lane Interview

Q. Carson Hocevar, Mike Joy called you Hurricane Hocevar. I call you Mr. Excitement. So close to your first career win there, Carson. Take me through that last lap and what happened.

CARSON HOCEVAR: Yeah, I mean, I choked. For our luck last year, well, I was like, if we just raced until the Busch Series length races, like stage two basically, we would be really good. Then it kind of goes to hell in a handbasket.

Now I guess we're really, really good this year at just getting to the white flag leading. Yeah, I went over to Briscoe and just kind of laughed. I thought it was the right spot, being on top and everything. Then I look in my mirror.

I'm like, All right, perfect, he's coming to me.

Then they start going left, and I was confused for a second. Then I looked to my left and realized it was another Toyota. I'm like, he's not going to push me.

Yeah, just happy with the Spectrum car. Our car is really fast, to go from two laps down to get stage points and finish fourth. That's good points for us.

Yeah, I mean, I was taking every run. I don't know -- I'm sure I owe people apologies, but I think we're all going for spaces and runs and everything.

Yeah, luckily all four tires were straight. My toe was knocked out, but it still was pretty fast. You know, able to finish fourth there, so pretty excited for our start of the year.

Now I'm going to go mess up a little bit on the road course. You know, not be a total front contender, and then hopefully get back going this up-front type of deal at Phoenix.