NASCAR: Did Carson Hocevar tease a Cup Series promotion?

Carson Hocevar is only in his second season in the NASCAR Truck Series, but he could be on the move sooner rather than later.

Niece Motorsports has been a home for many in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, including second-year driver Carson Hocevar.

Hocevar had a solid rookie season last year, finishing in 10th place in the championship standings behind the wheel of the #42 Chevrolet. Through 13 races this season, he sits in eighth in the standings with three top five finishes, six top 10 finishes, and a pole at Sonoma Raceway.

He earned that pole position, the first of his career, despite having a broken tibia bone near his right ankle.

While Hocevar is still searching for his first win in a NASCAR touring series week after week, he is progressing fast enough to please his management at Niece Motorsports.

The team’s general manager, Cody Enfaw, told Davey Segal on Segal’s podcast, Victory Lane, that Niece Motorsports are looking to compete in the Cup Series in 2023, and Hocevar would be their driver if they elect to go that route.

Efaw added that he felt the Xfinity Series was “watered down” and that he believes vehicle inventory for the Gen 7 car will be more available next year than it is this season.

He later explained in the podcast that it’s not set in stone for the team to run in the Cup Series next season, but he would like to get the 19-year-old Portage, Michigan some starts in the series.

With an unknown future surrounding the current title sponsor of the Truck Series, it is understandable why Niece Motorsports would want to expand their organization within NASCAR as soon as next year.

Even Hocevar shared a bit of a teaser, one which could end up leading to a confirmation of the team’s plans for 2023.

Hocevar recently shared a picture to social media of his #42 Chevrolet Silverado, but a Gen 7 wheel can be seen in the background.

The single lug nut, center-lock wheel is exclusive to Cup Series cars, as the Xfinity Series and Truck Series still run traditional wheels with five lug nuts.

Even with just a year and a half in the Truck Series and no wins under his belt, Hocevar may be the face of Niece Motorsports’ quest to compete in the NASCAR Cup Series.