Sports · Motorsport · 3 hrs ago
Spire suspends Carson Hocevar for NASCAR Cup finale
Spire Motorsports suspended driver Carson Hocevar for one race, leaving him out of Sunday's NASCAR Cup finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
The decision followed a Martinsville race in which Hocevar brake-checked Austin Cindric multiple times, damaging Cindric's car and ending his race.
Cindric, who drives for Team Penske, finished 36th after the incident.
Spire said Hocevar's conduct fell short of the team's standards for its drivers and that it wanted to uphold respect and integrity.
Hocevar apologized, saying he had let down his team, sponsors and fans, and accepted that his actions led to the suspension.
Justin Haley will replace Hocevar in the No.
77 Chevrolet at Homestead.
NASCAR had not announced whether it would impose its own penalty, and Spire said it would prepare for the finale before returning its focus to the next season.
Spire Motorsports suspended Carson Hocevar for one race, ruling him out of the NASCAR Cup Series finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Justin Haley will replace Hocevar in the No. 77 Chevrolet.
The team said Hocevar’s conduct at Martinsville did not meet its standards for drivers and employees.
At Martinsville, Hocevar brake-checked Austin Cindric multiple times, damaging Cindric’s car and leaving him with a DNF and 36th-place finish.
Hocevar apologized and said he would work to return in 2027 as a better driver, competitor and teammate.
- Who
- Spire Motorsports suspended driver Carson Hocevar. Justin Haley will take his place in the No. 77 Chevrolet.
- What
- Hocevar was suspended for one race and will miss the NASCAR Cup Series finale.
- When
- The suspension was announced on Nov. 3, 2026. The finale is this Sunday.
- Where
- The finale is at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The incident that led to the suspension occurred at Martinsville Speedway.
- Why
- Spire said Hocevar’s conduct at Martinsville did not meet the standards it sets for its drivers and employees.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Hocevar brake-checked Austin Cindric multiple times, and Cindric's car was damaged, leaving him with a DNF and 36th-place finish.
Spire Motorsports announced Hocevar's one-race suspension.
Justin Haley is set to drive the No. 77 Chevrolet in the Cup Series finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Hocevar said he looked forward to returning as a better driver, competitor and teammate.
- Suspended driver
- Carson Hocevar
- Suspension length
- One race
- Finale venue
- Homestead-Miami Speedway
- Replacement driver
- Justin Haley
- Car number
- No. 77 Chevrolet
- Cindric's result
- DNF; 36th place
3 sources
What people are saying
To us, however, this isn't about money or points. We believe in respect. Our integrity matters. This is the right decision for Spire Motorsports.
This is an embarrassing day for me.
I crossed the line with my on-track actions and gave Jeff and Spire Motorsports no option but to put someone else in the [No.] 77 car this weekend at Homestead.