Carson Hocevar Makes History with First Pole at Texas
In a thrilling turn of events at Texas Motor Speedway, Carson Hocevar, decked out in cowboy attire, clinched his first Busch Light Pole Award.
This achievement is a career milestone for the 22-year-old driver and marks him as the youngest pole winner at Texas.
Hocevar’s impressive performance has set the stage for an exciting Würth 400 presented by Liqui Moly.
Carson Hocevar: A Rising Star
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Carson Hocevar’s pole-winning lap at Texas Motor Speedway was spectacular.
Driving the No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet, Hocevar completed the 1.5-mile track in 28.175 seconds with a speed of 191.659 mph.
This edged out 2023 race winner William Byron by just 0.014 seconds, giving Hocevar the top starting position.
At only 22, Hocevar has already made a significant mark in the NASCAR Cup Series.
His pole-winning lap is the second fastest in the Gen 7 car era, only behind Christopher Bell’s lap at Michigan in 2023.
A Moment of Pride
Hocevar’s excitement was clear as he celebrated his achievement.
Wearing a firesuit designed as a cowboy outfit, thanks to sponsor Chili’s, and a black 10-gallon hat, Hocevar enjoyed the moment.
He expressed pride in his team and the importance of securing the No. 1 pit stall, a position he had never held before.
*Having the cowboy outfit — what better place to be on the pole,* Hocevar said.
*I’m normally so hard on myself, and I didn’t think I nailed that lap at all, but I’m super proud of this team.*
Close Contenders
The qualifying session was highly competitive, with several drivers posting strong lap times.
Austin Cindric, last Sunday’s Talladega winner, qualified third with a speed of 191.523 mph.
Kyle Larson, the last driver to make an attempt, secured the fourth position with 191.421 mph.
Ty Gibbs and Michael McDowell also had strong performances.
Gibbs initially topped the chart with 191.293 mph, but McDowell, Hocevar’s teammate, surpassed him by 0.006 seconds, earning the fifth starting position with 191.333 mph.
Top 10 Qualifiers
- Carson Hocevar: 191.659 mph
- William Byron: 191.564 mph
- Austin Cindric: 191.523 mph
- Kyle Larson: 191.421 mph
- Michael McDowell: 191.333 mph
- Ty Gibbs: 191.293 mph
- Josh Berry:
- Denny Hamlin:
- Bubba Wallace:
- AJ Allmendinger:
Practice Sessions and Notable Performances
Hocevar also showed his skill during the Cup Series practice sessions at Texas.
He recorded the fastest lap in Group 2 with a speed of 190.894 mph.
AJ Allmendinger finished second overall, pacing Group 1 drivers with 190.215 mph.
Noah Gragson, Kyle Larson, and Michael McDowell rounded out the top five in practice.
Austin Cindric, despite qualifying third, had the fastest 10-, 15-, 20-, and 25-lap averages during practice.
This consistency suggests that Cindric will be a strong contender in the race.
Incidents and Observations
The practice sessions were mostly incident-free.
Shane van Gisbergen scraped the wall at the end of Group 1 practice, causing minor right-side scrapes.
The two 25-minute sessions provided valuable insights into the drivers’ performance.
Looking Ahead: The Würth 400
The stage is set for an exciting Würth 400 at Texas Motor Speedway.
With Carson Hocevar starting from the pole, all eyes will be on the young driver to see if he can turn his qualifying success into a race victory.
The competition will be tough, with drivers like William Byron, Austin Cindric, and Kyle Larson close behind.
Defending race winner Chase Elliott will start 29th and will also be a driver to watch.
Despite his lower starting position, Elliott’s experience could help him make a big impact during the race.
Final Thoughts
Carson Hocevar’s pole-winning performance at Texas Motor Speedway shows his talent in the NASCAR Cup Series.
As the youngest-ever pole winner at Texas, Hocevar has set a high bar for himself and his competitors.
The upcoming Würth 400 promises to be a thrilling race, with young talent and seasoned veterans competing for victory.
For more details on the qualifying session and to stay updated on the latest NASCAR news, visit the official NASCAR website.
