Carson Hocevar Heartbroken But Grateful After Scary Flat Tire Ends Race
Carson Hocevar's chances of winning the NASCAR Cup Series race on home soil were shattered after the left rear tire of his car went flat in the closing stages, as he battled William Byron for the top spot.
The race at Michigan International Speedway saw several twists at the end, including Hocevar's flat tire incident that sent him into the pits when there were just 18 laps to go. Unfortunately, the tire setback meant the 22-year-old finished the race in 29th place.
Hocevar admitted that his win was going to be compromised anyway, considering the low fuel situation, and hoped for a yellow flag before the race ended. Speaking to FOX Sports' Bob Pockrass after the race, he said:
"It was going to be near impossible to save four laps around this place for how fast we were going. So you kind of knew that but you wanted to save a little bit and the only reason we're saving wasn't to save to make, it was obviously saved just trying to keep our pit stop short because we needed that yellow so if the yellow came out, we needed the best opportunity to be good."
Carson Hocevar, driver of the #7 Delaware Life Chevrolet, enters his truck during qualifying for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series DQS Solutions & Staffing 250 Powered by Precision Vehicle Logistics at Michigan International Speedway on...
Carson Hocevar, driver of the #7 Delaware Life Chevrolet, enters his truck during qualifying for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series DQS Solutions & Staffing 250 Powered by Precision Vehicle Logistics at Michigan International Speedway on June 07, 2025 in Brooklyn, Michigan. MoreWhen asked if he received any tire warning, Hocevar said:
"No. Maybe like, a half a lap earlier, I'm obviously really thankful it happened down the back stretch of two because they had a moment in late exit of 2, and I'm like that's not right. And then it sat down.
"I've never really had a flat at these high-speed tracks. Then I got that feeling without it hurting or just being a big moment, especially for how good that car was, I'm glad we didn't tear it up."
Carson Hocevar on leading the race knowing he was going to have to pit ... and the flat that ended his winning hopes. @NASCARONFOX pic.twitter.com/LNqGJnrFEr — Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) June 8, 2025
Revealing further details to NASCAR, Hocevar said:
"I felt like I screwed us a little bit by going a little early to put us in that fuel number. You lose the race both ways, right? You either run out (or this). But they should probably go to bed a little bit [easier] that somehow, some way we ran something over or something in the universe wanted a left-rear flat."
Hocevar has missed out on top finishes this year due to unexpected hurdles, which led him to recall his Truck Series days. He added:
"Just like I'm reliving the Truck Series days, but you're doing it in front of a big stage. And then, the difference is like I felt like I was throwing them away. Now, they're getting taken away – I use that term loosely – but just things out of our control.
"It's such a double-edged sword, right? There's nothing I could go back and just be like, we could be better in this moment to win the race or not. There's so many moments where we're just like, 'Man, I just wish we had that opportunity to see if we even would have had a fighting shot at the end at these races.' I'd much rather be in these spots and have these things happening than just slow."
Denny Hamlin went on to win the FireKeepers Casino 400 Cup Series race, after Byron ran out of fuel when just one and a half laps remained.
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