NASCAR’s decision to suspend Chase Elliott for the upcoming race at World Wide Technology Raceway has set off a chain of events that will see Carson Hocevar make his Cup Series debut.
With Elliott being suspended for intentionally wrecking Denny Hamlin during Monday’s Coca-Cola 600 the No. 9 car will be driven by Corey LaJoie this weekend for the Enjoy Illinois 300.
Of course LaJoie is also a full-time Cup Series driver meaning someone has to take over his No. 7 Schluter®-Systems Chevrolet Camaro for the race. The person who will occupy that car will be Hocevar.
“We’re always happy to help our friends at Hendrick Motorsports and couldn’t be prouder to see Corey LaJoie get the opportunity of a lifetime to race a Hendrick Motorsports’ Chevrolet,” said Spire Motorsports co-owner Jeff Dickerson. “When we were approached by HMS, it was really an easy answer. Our entire organization and the whole team at Schluter Systems are on board and thrilled to see Corey realize an incredible opportunity. At the same time, we’re eager to see Carson Hocevar get behind the wheel of the No. 7 Schluter Systems Chevy Camaro. Carson has proven to be more than capable and he’s done a great job in our No. 77 Premier Security Chevrolet in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. This is a win for everyone involved.”
Hocevar is running the full Craftsman Truck Series schedule this season. Though 11 starts in that series he has scored a win at Texas Motor Speedway, four top-five and five top-ten finishes. Earlier this season he made his Xfinity Series debut driving for Bobby Dotter at Circuit of the Americas. He has also scored two top-ten finishes in that series in his other starts in the No. 77 car.
The Enjoy Illinois 300 from World Wide Technology Raceway will be televised live on FS1 Sunday, June 4 beginning at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The 15th of 36 races on the 2023 NCS schedule will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.
