NASCAR Cup Series rookie Carson Hocevar announces Kalamazoo, Michigan-based Zeigler Auto Group as his sponsor for eight races in 2024, including the Daytona 500 (PC: Justin LeRoy)
KALAMAZOO, MI– It was announced on Monday, December 11, 2023, that Kalamazoo, MI-based auto dealer Zeigler Auto Group will sponsor 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year contender Carson Hocevar for nine races in the upcoming NASCAR season. This is a fitting partnership as Hocevar was born and raised in the Great Lakes State. Zeigler will serve as the co-primary sponsor for two races and the main primary sponsor for seven races.
The 20-year-old racer was a standout in his 2023 Craftsman Truck Series campaign, winning four races and finishing fourth in the standings. Hocevar is also right at home with his new sponsor, as he is a native of Portage, Michigan, a town just south of Kalamazoo.
“We just have the equal opportunity to have a shot. The Daytona 500 seems to always have an odd ball winner, who always has a great story. We have a great one that we are already writing, so hopefully, we can put that in the chapter,” Hocevar said to WWMT news. “I mean, anybody in my position wants to be a Cup Series driver, that’s what you dream about when you’re young. You want to race on Sundays. So, my opportunity to run a few times this year, to run on Sunday and get ready.”
Beginning his racing career at 7 years old in USAC quarter midgets, Hocevar has accumulated 79 feature wins and 15 total championships, winning his first feature at Berlin Raceway in Marne, Michigan, in an outlaw late model at just 13 years old, and later won the 2017 track championship. Three years later, he would go on to win the Winchester 400 at Winchester Speedway in Indiana.
“Carson Hocevar is a proven winner and excels with every opportunity,” Spire Motorsports co-owner Jeff Dickerson said. “He’s an undeniable talent and reminds me a lot of a young Kyle Busch and Brad Keselowski. We’re thrilled to have him join the Spire Motorsports family and help us continue to raise our competitive bar.”
Hocevar was announced to be making his Cup Series move in October after running select races in the Xfinity Series and one Cup Series race for Spire Motorsports, along with running eight races for Legacy Motor Club.
“I mean, anybody in my position wants to be a Cup Series driver,” said Hocevar. “That’s what you dream about when you’re young. You want to race on Sundays. So, my opportunity to run a few times this year, to run on Sunday and get ready, I feel more than prepared to get in the No. 77 car with Spire. That team is growing exponentially and I’m just excited for everything. I have a unique opportunity to build something and grow with it, while growing myself at the same time. For what we’ve been able to do from the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series to Cup is pretty crazy. I know it seems like a big jump. With all the tools and resources, and everybody at Spire Motorsports, they have put a lot of faith in me, and I have a lot of faith in them. We all have faith in the whole program. I feel like we can come out of the gate like we’ve done this for years. I’ve always been super easy going and I just kind of let things do what they need to do,” offered Hocevar. “If it was anything other than racing, I’d be overwhelmed and stressed and worried, but once I’m in a race car and put a helmet on, I forget anything else is happening.”
Luke Lambert, who worked with Hocevar in his starts with Legacy Motor Club in 2023, will serve as the crew chief for Spire’s number 77; they recorded a best finish of 11th at Bristol. Hocevar has also previously been mentored by fellow Michigander and former NASCAR champion Johnny Benson, Jr. The 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season will kick off February 18, 2024 at 2:30 PM on FOX.
Zeigler’s 2024 Sponsorship Schedule:
Daytona International Speedway – February 18 (Co-Primary)
Talladega Superspeedway – April 21
Charlotte Motor Speedway – May 26
Worldwide Technology Raceway – June 2
Nashville Superspeedway – June 30
Chicago Street Race – July 7
Indianapolis Motor Speedway – July 21
Michigan International Speedway – August 18 (Co-Primary)
Homestead-Miami Speedway – October 27