Spire Motorsports Sits Carson Hocevar for Homestead Finale

Spire Motorsports will not field Carson Hocevar in the No. 77 car for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season finale on Nov. 8 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The team announced the suspension on Tuesday, replacing Hocevar with Justin Haley for the final race of the year.

The decision follows a series of on-track controversies that have defined Hocevar’s 2026 campaign. On Nov. 1 at Martinsville, critics accused the 23-year-old of intentionally spinning his car to trigger a caution flag. He also engaged in a physical altercation with Austin Cindric during that same event. These incidents added to a pattern of aggressive driving that includes a viral brawl at Bristol Motor Speedway in September.

Spire Motorsports stated that the move was driven by a desire to maintain organizational integrity rather than financial or points-based strategy. The team noted that while they could have left the situation to NASCAR’s regulatory process, they chose to act independently to demonstrate respect for their partners and fans.

Hocevar, who has become a fan favorite for his charismatic and aggressive style, described the suspension as an embarrassing day. He acknowledged that his on-track actions crossed a line and left owner Jeff Dickerson and the team with no alternative but to install a new driver for the weekend.

The season finale marks the conclusion of the 2026 racing slate for all three top NASCAR series. Hocevar enters the final weekend in 12th place in the points standings. Despite missing the last race, he has secured his first Cup Series win, achieved at Talladega on April 26, and qualified for the postseason for the first time in his career.

In 35 races this season, Hocevar recorded one win, six top-five finishes, and 12 top-10 results. His replacement, Haley, is a NASCAR veteran who previously drove for Spire Motorsports. Haley will take the wheel in the No. 77 car as the team wraps up its 2026 schedule.

The suspension leaves Hocevar’s season with a win and a playoff berth but ends his 2026 campaign without a final race result. The team’s statement emphasized that while the decision may be difficult in the short term, it aligns with their core values and long-term organizational standards.