"It's the only thing we thought we could win" - Carson Hocevar makes feelings known about winning NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year

Carson Hocevar recently shared his thoughts on winning NASCAR's Rookie of the Year award for 2024. The Spire Motorsports driver admitted to having a realistic approach to winning this award rather than a race or chance to compete in the playoffs.

After three impressive seasons with Niece Motorsports in the Truck Series and accumulating four wins, the 21-year-old transitioned to NASCAR's premier division with Spire Motorsports. Hocevar will continue to drive the No. 77 for Spire, alongside Michael McDowell in the #71 and Justin Haley behind the #7 Camaro, for the 2025 season.

Although the Michigan native couldn't take the checkered flag, he managed the Rookie of the Year award after a promising season. Speaking to Racer's Kelly Crandall, he spoke about bagging the award, calling it a "big deal".

"Well, obviously it's a big deal. Only thing we thought we could win this year." said Carson Hocevar. "Yeah I mean we did, I mean its Spires... wasn't expecting a win, wasn't expecting to win the playoffs this early, you know, eventually, we'd like to. But realistically the best thing for us to won or have a shot to win the Rookie of the Year. We had a really good shot to do that and were able to get the best points finish. I think that for me personally, honestly it meant a lot for me to do that." [4:02]

The #77 Chevy driver showed promising results after finishing 21st in the Cup Series season. He bagged six Top-10 finishes, with his best being coming third at the Go Bowling at the Glen in Watkins Glen.

Carson Hocevar wrapped up his season after finishing 18th in the last race, which took place at the Phoenix Raceway.

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"There was never going to be a finger pointing,": Carson Hocevar reflects on his Rookie NASCAR Cup Series season

Carson Hocevar debuted in the Cup Series as a part-time driver for Legacy Motor Club after Noah Gragson was suspended. Later in October 2023, it was announced that the youngster would jump to the Cup Series bypassing the Xfinity Series in a multi-year deal with Spire Motorsports.

In a video released by the Spire team, Hocevar recently looked back on his season and said:

"I don't know if anybody would've guessed that I would be the most consistent rookie per se or put together a really strong whole year, but I feel like we could and everybody on our team did. That's our strength. I was able to come in with Luke Lambert. Me and him had ran well in a Cup car before this year, so we knew we both can do it together." [2:08]

The young Spire driver continued:

"Tyler Green, my spotter, he's super good. You know, we won Truck races last year so between the three of us we knew there was never going to be a finger pointing... There was never a self doubt moment for anyone of us on our team."

Furthermore, Carson Hocevar also mentioned competing in the quarter midgets at the infield of the esteemed Indianapolis Motor Speedway early on in his racing career. He also deemed the Brickyard 400 race Cup race as his favorite racetrack. While he finished P12 this year at the 'racing capital of the world', the rookie Cup driver will look to capitalize on the famed Indianapolis track.