Carson Hocevar Suspended by Spire for Final NASCAR Race

23-year-old Carson Hocevar will not compete in the final race of the 2026 NASCAR season.

Spire Motorsports announced on Tuesday that the driver of the No. 77 car is suspended for the Nov. 8 event at Homestead-Miami Speedway. This decision removes Hocevar from the field just as drivers in all three top NASCAR series prepare to conclude the racing slate this weekend.

The team initiated the suspension following accusations that Hocevar intentionally spun his car to trigger a caution during the Nov. 1 race at Martinsville. The incident follows a season marked by aggressive driving, including a previous on-track confrontation with Austin Cindric.

Spire Motorsports stated that the move reflects a commitment to integrity rather than a focus on points or money. The team noted that leaving the situation to NASCAR would have been the easier path, but they viewed the suspension as the correct action for the organization. The statement acknowledged that the right decision can be painful in the short term.

Justin Haley, a NASCAR veteran and former Spire driver, will take the wheel for the season finale. Haley replaces Hocevar in the No. 77 car for the weekend event.

Hocevar described the news as an embarrassing day in a personal statement. He admitted to crossing the line with his on-track actions, which he said left owner Jeff Dickerson and the team with no choice but to replace him. He expressed regret for letting down the people who gave him the chance to drive a Cup car.

Hocevar finished 12th in the points standings heading into the final race. In 35 starts this season, he recorded one win at Talladega on April 26, six top-five finishes, and 12 top-10 results. The 23-year-old also advanced to the postseason for the first time in his career.