Main Story: Spire Motorsports suspended Carson Hocevar for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series finale at Homestead after he repeatedly brake-checked Austin Cindric at Martinsville, damaging Cindric’s car and ending his race. NASCAR fined Hocevar $100,000 and docked him 25 points; Justin Haley will drive Spire’s No. 77 instead. Hocevar accepted responsibility, and Spire said the suspension reflects its standards for driver conduct—not just NASCAR’s penalties.

By the Numbers
  • $100,000 fine and 25 driver points deducted for Hocevar.
  • Cindric finished 36th after the incident forced him to the garage.
  • Hocevar’s fine was double Josh Berry’s $50,000 penalty for a separate brake-check.
Yes, But

Spire said it supports Hocevar while making clear that his Martinsville conduct fell short of the team’s expectations. The suspension also comes amid a history of conduct-related scrutiny, though NASCAR has not penalized him for every prior incident.

State of Play
  • Haley will take over the No. 77 for the Homestead finale.
  • Hocevar is expected to address the media Friday and is next scheduled to race in the 2027 Daytona 500.
  • The season-ending race is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET Sunday on NBC.
Bottom Line

Spire is treating the incident as a breach of team standards, not simply a matter for NASCAR to punish. Hocevar’s absence puts that message—and the team’s focus on accountability—front and center at the season finale.