When Carson Hocevar flipped Layne Riggs off, fans thought it was just another instance of the driver being himself. “The kid drives the wheels off it…I don’t know what he would be mad at, because he would probably do the same thing and more. Knowing him and his mentality, he probably stuck that hand out with the finger, having fun, like, ‘F— you, you didn’t get me,’ Tommy Baldwin Jr. said.

Carson Hocevar, the 22-year-old Spire Motorsports driver, is NASCAR’s next big personality, filling the void left by outspoken stars like Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch. At Darlington, he parked his Dale Earnhardt Sr.-themed No. 3 Silverado Intimidator SS, joking amid Xfinity Series chaos, earning “NASCAR’s rebel” label. And he’s definitely not stopping at that, especially with the All-Star Race right around the corner.

 Over 40 years, it’s evolved from Charlotte Motor Speedway’s debut into NASCAR’s testing ground, trialing stage racing, option tires, and the choose rule. North Wilkesboro Speedway’s website celebrates its “memorable moments,” like Davey Allison’s 1991 triumph, battered car still roaring, or Dale Earnhardt’s 1987 “Pass in the Grass,” a defiant stand immortalized in NASCAR’s memorable moments gallery.

And for the All-Star race in 2025, the fan vote is the heartbeat, empowering fans to propel one driver into the main race’s spotlight. It’s a celebration of fan passion, a non-points spectacle that keeps NASCAR’s heart beating, thriving on upsets like Kasey Kahne’s 2008 fan-voted victory.

NASCAR unveiled the top five contenders for the 2025 vote—Shane van Gisbergen, Noah Gragson, Carson Hocevar, Ryan Preece, and Bubba Wallace—sparking a wildfire of excitement as fans rally to shape the race’s next iconic chapter.

Hocevar’s antics are legendary. Dale Earnhardt Jr. was clear about what he thought about the driver. “He’s still one of the most aggressive defenders of his position in the field. He is absolutely, through looking at statistics, real data, the best defender. There’s nobody better. So, he still has the skills that he always possessed, but he just doesn’t make as much noise anymore. He doesn’t want to be the guy that we’re walking up and interviewing in a rain delay going, ‘Hey man, who have you pissed off today?’ He hated that. He hated that attention, and he didn’t like that narrative about him. Hocevar sort of has that same thing, if not a little bit more going on.” 

In 2023, he spun Truck Series rival Corey Heim at Phoenix, costing Heim a shot at the title. In 2024, he dazzled in Spire’s No. 77, scoring six top 10s and an 18.3 average finish, outshining teammates and clinching Rookie of the Year. His off-track flair shines: streaming iRacing during Daytona’s rain delay, starring in a Grand Theft Auto-style promo at Homestead-Miami, rocking an Earnhardt throwback truck at Darlington.

And Hocevar’s cheeky response to giving the bird says it all. “It was somewhat friendly, right? It was just kind … yeah, I don’t, I don’t remember what I really did to be honest. No, if anything, I just wanted to remind him, really, of just like, hey, I still won, I guess. I don’t know. But at the end of the day, he did a really good job.”

Hocevar’s journey carries weight beyond the track. As Spire Motorsports’ future, a driver who could reshape the team. He’s championed the Truck Series’ impact. His Kansas win was a “drama, rivalry, and triumph” saga fitting the All-Star’s history of epic battles like Kyle Busch’s 2017 win. His spot on the 2025 All-Star Race and Open entry list could be confirmed with NASCAR’s fan vote announcement. Hocevar’s not just racing—he’s chasing a legacy tied to Earnhardt’s fearless spirit.

They’re voting to get him into the main race, just like fans rallied for underdogs in All-Star history, believing Hocevar can deliver a moment as iconic as Allison’s 1991 triumph.

Fans want to see Hocevar among the stars

Now, with the fan vote deadline looming, the tension is unreal. The All-Star Race has always been about fans, from cheering Allison’s comeback to voting in underdogs, per NASCAR’s gallery. One X user captured the stakes: “If y’all don’t vote @CarsonHocevar, I’m going to go jump in a puddle.” That’s the fire Hocevar sparks. With the All-Star doors closing, will fans push him through?

Another fan said, “I’m all in for Hocevar but he’s got the dumbest sponsor I’ve ever seen.” They’re roasting the WNBA paint scheme CBS Sports called creative, but it’s not dimming their loyalty. Hocevar’s Talladega fuel strategy showed his daring. Like fans who embrace the All-Star spectacle, they’re hooked on Hocevar’s heart—his ‘We’re here now’ swagger seals it, sponsor or not.

One fan insisted, “Hocevar and Wallace are the only two who people should be voting for. I’m sorry but they are the two who actually have a shot at making the main race 😂.” Bubba Wallace has fans, but Hocevar’s momentum, echoing the All-Star’s fan-driven upsets like Kasey Kahne’s 2008 vote-in, gives him an edge. Their laugh captures the All-Star’s playful vibe, but their confidence in Hocevar’s chances is unshakable. Another fan declared, “Hocevar is the only one here that deserves it.” That’s a bold stand, but Hocevar’s resume—Kansas, Talladega, Rockingham—backs it. They believe Hocevar has earned his spot, ready to deliver drama like Busch’s 2017 win.

Finally, a fan admitted, “Hard choice between Hocevar and Preece.” Their Texas clash, where Hocevar’s class shone, lingers. The fan vote list shows both in the top five, but Hocevar’s bold moves, like his Talladega strategy, pull harder. The All-Stars’ “drivers going all-in” fits Hocevar’s fire, evoking Senior’s legacy. The NASCAR community is torn but leaning toward Hocevar; they’re drawn to his potential for an All-Star moment as epic as Earnhardt’s 1987 stand.

As the All-Star Race nears, Hocevar’s fans are a force. They see him as Earnhardt’s heir—a rebel with soul. But with the doors closing, will their votes carry him through?