Carson Hocevar achieved a significant milestone in his racing career by securing his first-ever pole position in the NASCAR Cup Series at Texas Motor Speedway. His impressive qualifying lap of 191.659 mph, completed in 28.175 seconds, marks a pivotal moment in his journey after 56 starts. Notably, this achievement places him among the elite, as it is the second-fastest qualifying speed recorded in the Next Gen era, with Christopher Bell holding the record from Michigan in 2023 at 193.382 mph.
Reflecting on his accomplishment, Hocevar expressed his excitement, stating, “This is a huge moment for me and the entire team. The progress we’ve made is genuinely impressive. The same crew that has been with me since my early days at Spire Motorsports is still here, and their hard work has truly paid off.” He emphasized the team’s cohesion and dedication, noting that many of the individuals who have supported him through thick and thin are still contributing to the No. 77 car’s success.
Hocevar’s enthusiasm was palpable as he discussed the new partnership with Chili’s and the significance of his cowboy-themed firesuit. “What better way to celebrate my first pole than with this exciting outfit and the support from Chili’s?” he remarked. Despite feeling he could have performed better during his lap, he expressed immense pride in his team. “Getting the No. 1 pit stall is a dream come true for me. I’ve faced numerous challenges on pit road in the past, so to finally have the best spot feels incredible.”
In a notable achievement, Hocevar became the youngest driver to clinch a pole position at Texas Motor Speedway. Close behind him in the qualifying session was William Byron, who secured the second position with a lap speed of 191.564 mph. Austin Cindric followed closely in third with a speed of 191.523 mph, while Kyle Larson secured the fourth spot at 191.421 mph. Hocevar’s teammate, Michael McDowell, qualified fifth with a lap of 191.333 mph, and Ty Gibbs rounded out the top six with a qualifying speed of 191.293 mph.
Cindric, the most recent Cup Series winner, described his experience during qualifying, stating, “I had to really push hard during that lap. The pressure was on, especially in turns three and four, where I had the throttle wide open. After practice, I felt we had a solid chance for the pole, given the strengths of the Dark Horse Ford Mustang. Although I don’t know the exact margins, I believe I could have improved my lap even more.”
Cindric acknowledged his performance, stating, “While I’m pleased with our position, I always strive to give my best. I feel confident about our chances for tomorrow’s race, especially with a good pit stall.” He remains optimistic about capitalizing on his momentum during the race.
The qualifying session saw other notable drivers, with Josh Berry taking seventh place at 191.266 mph. Denny Hamlin followed in eighth with a speed of 191.164 mph, while Bubba Wallace secured ninth position at 191.157 mph. AJ Allmendinger completed the top ten with a lap speed of 190.975 mph.
The qualifying results also included Alex Bowman in 11th and Chris Buescher in 12th position. Christopher Bell, a contender for the championship, qualified 16th, while Tyler Reddick took 17th place. Chase Briscoe and Ryan Blaney followed, qualifying 22nd and 24th respectively.
Kyle Busch faced challenges and ended up in 26th place, with Joey Logano close behind in 27th. Chase Elliott, the defending champion at Texas Motor Speedway, qualified 29th, while Brad Keselowski came in 30th. Ross Chastain, Ryan Preece, and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. further down the list qualified 31st, 33rd, and 34th, respectively.
As anticipation builds for the upcoming race, the excitement surrounding the Wurth 400 at Texas Motor Speedway is palpable. Fans are eager to see how the drivers will perform, particularly with Hocevar starting from the pole position. His remarkable achievement, combined with the strategies of the other top qualifiers, promises an exhilarating race day.
With the race scheduled to kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, all eyes will be on the track as drivers take their positions. The combination of skill, speed, and teamwork will undoubtedly play a crucial role in determining the outcome. The drivers are prepared to give their all, and each one hopes to leverage their qualifying positions to secure a strong performance in the race.
In summary, Carson Hocevar’s first pole win at Texas Motor Speedway stands as a testament to his growth and the hard work of his team. As the youngest driver to achieve this feat at this iconic venue, he sets a new standard for aspiring racers. With strong finishes from competitors like William Byron and Austin Cindric, the race promises to be a thrilling event filled with high speeds and intense competition. As the countdown to the Wurth 400 continues, fans can look forward to an unforgettable race day filled with excitement and drama.
