Kyle Petty, a former NASCAR driver and current broadcast analyst, recently shared his excitement for rising star Carson Hocevar in the inaugural episode of his new podcast, ‘Kiss My Ass-phalt.’ Petty strongly advocates for Spire Motorsports to secure Hocevar with a long-term contract following his impressive performance, which earned him the Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors last season, significantly outpacing fellow rookies like Josh Berry, Zane Smith, and Kaz Grala.
During the podcast, Petty emphasized Hocevar’s potential, comparing his situation to that of William Byron’s recent four-year deal with Hendrick Motorsports. He cautioned Spire Motorsports that failing to lock in Hocevar could result in losing him to a more financially robust team once his current contract expires.
Petty commented on Hocevar’s growth in the competitive racing scene, citing previous races where Hocevar demonstrated his ability to race aggressively yet cleanly against established drivers like Ryan Blaney. Highlighting a moment at Atlanta, where Hocevar was visibly competitive, Petty noted the significance of seeing younger drivers dominate alongside him, illustrating a shift in the sport’s landscape toward a new generation of talent.
He concluded with a compelling call to action for Spire Motorsports, asserting, “If I’m Spire, I’m signing him to a long, long, long-term deal right now.” Petty’s backing points to a bright future for Hocevar, suggesting that he may well be a key figure in NASCAR’s evolving landscape.
This article underscores the potential for fresh talent in NASCAR and the importance of teams recognizing and nurturing these emerging superstars to maintain competitiveness in the sport.