There are a large number of things that can be said (and have been) about rapidly rising NASCAR star Carson Hocevar, whether it’s how he drives, how he talks on the radio, or to other drivers, or whatever. Still, there’s no denying that he’s fantastic with the fans.
Hocevar has been catapulted into the limelight more than ever this year, and with each passing week, his popularity grows exponentially. The Michigander has been able to do so many incredible things this year, like being honored by Time Magazine or going to the Met Gala, things somebody in NASCAR hasn’t done since Jeff Gordon in the 1990s and 2000s.
In the scorching heat of North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, on Saturday, Hocevar showed exactly the reason why he’s risen to prominence so quickly in the eyes of NASCAR fans, and why despite his brashness, aggressiveness, and don’t-care attitude, he’s become one of NASCAR’s most popular drivers.
After Saturday’s 50-minute NASCAR Cup Series practice at North Wilkesboro (which was delayed by afternoon showers), the 23-year-old was walking down pit road after climbing from his No. 77 Spectrum Chevrolet and doing a quick debrief with his Spire Motorsports team, when he heard the crowd erupt into cheers for him.
Keep in mind, it’s been hot at North Wilkesboro all weekend. On Saturday, during the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series event, several drivers had problems with heat exhaustion after the temperature reached over 90 degrees – and with the humidex, felt like nearly 110 at points throughout the day.
Hocevar could have waved to the fans and walked away, without anybody batting an eye.
But that’s not what he did…
The Spire Motorsports driver quickly switched directions while walking down pit road, and instead of heading back to the hauler, made a detour to the North Wilkesboro Speedway grandstands, where he went to talk to the fans in attendance for practice on Saturday, and signed some autographs. According to several onlookers, Hocevar spent more than 10 minutes with the fans in the grandstands signing autographs before returning to the comfort of his air-conditioned trailer.
Hocevar is set to start fourth in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series event at North Wilkesboro Speedway, after qualifying was washed out and the starting lineup determined by NASCAR’s Performance Metric.
Now, after Hocevar chose to take time for the fans and sign some autographs in the grandstands, there’s going to be some new people cheering for the No. 77 Chevrolet at the racetrack on Sunday.
