The 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 is closing in quickly, and the hustle and bustle of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” has gotten underway, with cars hitting the racetrack this week for practice, ahead of the Memorial Day Weekend event.
With the announcement in the early hours of Wednesday that accomplished motorsports veteran Katherine Legge would become the first woman to attempt “The Double” – running the Indianapolis 500 (IndyCar) and Coca-Cola 600 (NASCAR) on the same day – the interest of others has understandably been piqued.
Legge will drive the No. 11 for HMD Motorsports & A.J. Foyt Racing in the Indy 500 before traveling to Charlotte, North Carolina, to drive the No. 78 for Live Fast Motorsports.
However, on Wednesday, another NASCAR Cup Series driver paid a visit to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to check out the preparations for the Indianapolis 500, that being “The Hurricane” Carson Hocevar.
Now, hurricanes don’t typically make it to Indianapolis, but with Hocevar’s connection to Andretti Global – through parent company TWG Global, which also owns the NASCAR Cup Series team that owns Hocevar’s No. 77 Chevrolet, Spire Motorsports – it’s possible one could make landfall at the historic racetrack in the next couple of years.
The 23-year-old racer has quickly risen to become one of NASCAR’s most popular drivers in recent weeks after capturing his first NASCAR Cup Series victory at Talladega Superspeedway, which came with an awesome celebration – and even an unexpected trip to The Met Gala.
Joining the INDYCAR on FOX booth during practice, the Portage, Michigan-native fielded some questions about the possibility of running the Indianapolis 500, one day.
“I’m short torso, so I don’t know if that helps or hurts me, but I feel like if my head is too high, that’s a problem,” Hocevar said when asked if he’s been seated in an INDYCAR. “If I can shimmy it and get myself up, I’d be okay. We’ve already been talking about it, we’ve already been doing redneck science measurements, trying to understand if I can even sit in one.”
“Realistically, I just need to convince Cassidy [Towriss], and she’ll convince Dan,” Hocevar quipped. But, they’re great. I would absolutely love to do it one day and enjoy it, but I want to win the Brickyard 400 and win some more Cup races. If they’re ahead on the timeline, then I wouldn’t say no.”
This year, Legge will aim to become the sixth driver to complete “The Double”, joining John Andretti, Robby Gordon, Tony Stewart, Kyle Larson, and Kurt Busch. Could Hocevar end up being the seventh?
Andretti Global flirted with fielding an additional entry in the Indianapolis 500 this season for Formula 2 driver and former NTT IndyCar Series race-winner Colton Herta, before a schedule change made the American driver unavailable to run the biggest event on the series’ calendar. So, it’s not like an additional entry would be impossible.
Hocevar has spoken about his desire to running the Indianapolis 500 previously, going on the Dale Jr. Download earlier this month to discuss that possibility. At Texas Motor Speedway two weeks ago, Hocevar also spoke to the media
Hocevar has spoken about his desire to compete in the Indianapolis 500 previously, going on the Dale Jr. Download earlier this month to discuss that possibility. In Texas, two weeks ago, Hocevar spoke to the media about that prospect, also.
“Well, number one, it’s a wish. You know, I think I could actually do it, like, as in confidence of running wide open and managing air,” Hocevar said. “I don’t know if I’ll get to do it, literally. But I just hope if I do get a shot that I can go fit the seat and they don’t tell me I’m too tall for the ride. I, for sure, hope that’s not the case. But I’m just enjoying Sunday’s right now for sure, though.”
There are obviously logistical challenges to be had, but the resources that TWG Global has on its side would certainly mitigate any of those potential deterrents, and with Hocevar’s rising stock as a popular driver in NASCAR, a collaboration could end up being very successful.
Photo: James Gilbert, Getty Images
