NASCAR team benches driver for season finale after on-track dispute
Spire Motorsports will replace Carson Hocevar with Justin Haley for the final race at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 8.
By Samir Doyle ·
Carson Hocevar will not race the final event of the 2026 NASCAR season. His team, Spire Motorsports, announced on Tuesday that the 23-year-old driver of the No. 77 car is suspended for the November 8 finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The move removes a popular competitor from the grid as drivers in all three top series conclude their schedules this weekend.
The suspension follows a specific incident at the November 1 race at Martinsville. Accusations emerged that Hocevar intentionally spun his car to trigger a caution flag. The driver also had a run-in with Austin Cindric during the season, consistent with his reputation for aggressive driving. These on-track actions forced the organization to make a personnel change for the closing race.
Spire Motorsports explained its reasoning in a statement, noting that a decision of this nature carries complex variables and cascading effects. The team said it chose to act rather than leave the matter to NASCAR officials. The statement emphasized that the choice was not about money or points, but about respect and integrity. The team acknowledged that the right decision can sometimes hurt in the short term.
Justin Haley, a NASCAR veteran and former Spire driver, will take Hocevar's place in the No. 77 car. Haley steps in for the single race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. This substitution ensures the team fields a driver for the season closer despite the internal dispute.
Hocevar addressed the suspension in a separate statement. He described the day as embarrassing and admitted he let down those who gave him the chance to drive a Cup car. Hocevar stated that his on-track actions crossed a line, leaving owner Jeff Dickerson and the team with no alternative but to seat another driver for the weekend.
The 23-year-old driver has become a fan favorite this season due to his charisma and bold style. His career has included numerous incidents with other drivers, including a viral brawl at Bristol in September. Despite the controversies, Hocevar secured his first Cup Series victory at Talladega on April 26. He also advanced to the postseason for the first time in his career.
In 35 races this season, Hocevar recorded 12 top-10 finishes and six top-five results. He enters the final race sitting 12th in the points standings. The suspension means he will watch the conclusion of his season from the sidelines after a year that included a win and playoff contention.
