In just his second year as a full-time NASCAR Cup Series driver, Carson Hocevar continues to show flashes of elite potential, even when things don’t go perfectly. That was the case during Saturday’s qualifying session for the Chicago Street Race, where the 22-year-old impressed with a third-place effort, his best-ever road course start.
Despite securing a career-best starting spot on a road course, Hocevar didn’t sound entirely satisfied after qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series race on the streets of Chicago. Instead of celebrating the result, Hocevar offered a refreshingly honest assessment of his run, revealing what really happened behind the wheel.
Carson Hocevar Breaks Down Chicago Error
Hocevar clocked a top speed of 87.824 mph, securing the third position on the starting grid. While that would typically be reason for celebration, the young Spire Motorsports driver remained self-critical. A miscue in the final corner of his second qualifying lap forced him to abandon it, leaving him without a chance to improve his time.
Shortly after the qualifying session, Hocevar took to X to break down the race. He wrote, “Made a mistake in the last corner and aborted the second lap. Didn’t get another shot to improve, but solid considering it was a little sloppy.”
The most scenic climb-in on the circuit.@CarsonHocevar | @zeigler_racing pic.twitter.com/Q4hKIUNkcQ
— Spire Motorsports (@SpireMotorsport) July 6, 2025
Despite the error, his first lap held up well enough for the second row and a career-best road course qualifying effort.
While Hocevar admitted the outing wasn’t perfect, his composure after the session showed maturity. His honest reflection struck a chord with NASCAR fans, reminding them that he’s not only fast but grounded and self-aware.
Heading into race day, Hocevar will line up just behind pole-sitter Shane van Gisbergen, who topped the charts with a stellar lap, and Michael McDowell, who will start second after clocking in at 87.979 mph.
Van Gisbergen, the defending Chicago race winner, once again proved his street racing dominance, while McDowell also showed his road course prowess. But for Hocevar, the third-place result still marked a career milestone. And if Saturday was any indication, and provided Hocevar can stay clean, he might just be on the verge of a breakout performance on Sunday.
The Chicago Street Course, with its tight corners, blind apexes, and unforgiving barriers, is a daunting challenge for even the most seasoned drivers. For Hocevar, who’s still building his road course résumé, his qualifying result marks significant progress. Last year, many struggled on the track’s tricky layout, but Hocevar seems to have quickly adapted to the demands of street racing.