Spire Motorsports Suspends Carson Hocevar for NASCAR Finale

Spire Motorsports has suspended Carson Hocevar for the NASCAR Cup Series season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway after an on-track conduct controversy at Martinsville. The team announced the one-race suspension on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, making the decision independently of NASCAR disciplinary action.

The organization did not identify a single incident as the specific reason for the suspension. Instead, team owner Jeff Dickerson described the decision as a matter of respect, integrity, and the professional standards expected from everyone representing Spire Motorsports.

Hocevar's absence also affects his championship position. According to the source report, he dropped from 10th to 12th in the standings following Martinsville and could fall further by missing the Homestead finale.

Justin Haley will replace Hocevar in the No. 77 Chevrolet this weekend. Haley previously competed for Spire Motorsports at the Cup level and secured the organization's first-ever victory in 2019.

Dickerson explained that the suspension involved broader organizational considerations rather than financial penalties or championship points.

"A decision like this has a lot of variables and a cascading effect across an organization like ours," said Spire Motorsports team owner Jeff Dickerson in a Tuesday statement.

Dickerson said the team could have left the matter to NASCAR but believed internal accountability was necessary. He emphasized that the decision reflected the organization's values rather than a financial or competitive calculation.

"The easy thing would have been to leave this in NASCAR's hands and let them decide what any penalty should be. 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.

"Everyone here loves working with Carson, and we've enjoyed watching him thrive alongside our team. Sometimes the right decision for someone you care about hurts in the short term. The way Carson conducted himself at Martinsville doesn't meet the standard we set for our drivers, team members or employees, and there are consequences for that. That doesn't mean we don't love him and support him.

"Racing at the Cup level is a privilege, and it comes with an expected level of professionalism from everyone who represents Spire Motorsports. We'll go to Homestead united and compete as an organization. After that, we can get ready for Daytona in February with the right mindset to contend for a championship."

Hocevar acknowledged responsibility for his conduct and apologized to the organization, sponsors, and supporters. He also accepted that his actions had led the team to select another driver for the season finale.

"This is an embarrassing day for me. I let the people down that gave me the opportunity of a lifetime to drive a cup car. I also let down my team sponsors and fans. I crossed the line with my on-track actions that gave Jeff and Spire Motorsports no option but to put someone else in the 77 car this weekend at Homestead.

"I'll be rooting for the entire organization this weekend and look forward to coming back in 2027 as a better driver, competitor, and teammate."

The Martinsville controversy follows several other incidents involving Hocevar during the 2026 season. He previously collided with Brad Keselowski at Darlington and became involved in a pit road confrontation with Ryan Blaney after wrecking him at Bristol.

Hocevar is expected to return to Spire Motorsports in 2027 after serving the one-race suspension, while Justin Haley takes over the No. 77 Chevrolet for the NASCAR Cup Series finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.