Carson Hocevar's Daytona 500 heartbreak ends wild Speedweek

The 23-year-old NASCAR Cup Series driver led late but crashed on the final lap while chasing his first career victory.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Carson Hocevar, a 23-year-old NASCAR Cup Series driver, had a tumultuous Daytona Speedweek that included a runner-up finish in his Duel qualifying race, crashes and mechanical issues in the Truck Series and Xfinity Series races, and a heartbreaking last-lap crash while leading the Daytona 500. Hocevar took the lead late in the race but was bumped by Erik Jones, causing him to spin and hit the wall. He finished 18th, his best result of the weekend, but was devastated to come so close to his first career Cup Series victory.

Why it matters

Hocevar's performance at Daytona highlighted his potential as a rising star in NASCAR, but also the challenges young drivers face in trying to break through and win at the sport's highest level. The last-lap crash in the Daytona 500 was a tough way to end an otherwise promising Speedweek for the Spire Motorsports driver.

The details

Hocevar was the only driver competing in all three of NASCAR's national divisions during Daytona Speedweek. He had mixed results, including a runner-up finish in his Duel qualifying race, but also mechanical issues and crashes in the Truck Series and Xfinity Series events. In the Daytona 500, Hocevar took the lead from teammate Michael McDowell on a late restart and was leading at the white flag, but was bumped by Erik Jones on the final lap, causing him to spin and hit the wall. He was able to limp the car to an 18th-place finish, his best result of the weekend.

  • Hocevar earned a runner-up finish in his Duel qualifying race, ensuring he would start the Daytona 500 from the sixth position.
  • In the Truck Series race on Friday night, Hocevar led 20 laps but also spun three separate times, causing back-to-back cautions.
  • In the Xfinity Series race, Hocevar was collected in the final two incidents of the race and finished 20th.
  • On the final restart of the Daytona 500, Hocevar took the lead from teammate Michael McDowell and was leading at the white flag.
  • On the final lap of the Daytona 500, Hocevar was bumped by Erik Jones, causing him to spin and hit the wall, but he was able to limp the car to an 18th-place finish.

The players

Carson Hocevar

A 23-year-old NASCAR Cup Series driver competing for Spire Motorsports, who was searching for his first career victory.

Michael McDowell

Hocevar's teammate at Spire Motorsports.

Erik Jones

The driver who bumped Hocevar on the final lap of the Daytona 500, causing him to spin and crash.

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What they’re saying

“The top had a huge run. Jones was just offset a little to the right. I don't know if I didn't commit all the way up, or if he just got me off-center, and just hooked me into the wall, and obviously I bounced off of it.”

— Carson Hocevar, NASCAR Cup Series driver (Motorsport.com)

“Everybody cares about this race more than anything. And for us to be up front ... I'm really proud of that.”

— Carson Hocevar, NASCAR Cup Series driver (Motorsport.com)

What’s next

The NASCAR Cup Series now heads to Atlanta, where Hocevar finished second one year ago.

The takeaway

Hocevar's performance at Daytona Speedweek, including his near-miss in the Daytona 500, showcased his potential as a rising star in NASCAR. Despite the heartbreak of the last-lap crash, Hocevar can take pride in leading the sport's biggest race and earning valuable stage points that will help him in the season ahead.