NASCAR Cup Series driver change confirmed for Darlington

Carson Hocevar is set to compete for Legacy Motor Club in the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series playoff opener at Darlington Raceway this Sunday night.

Legacy Motor Club have announced that NASCAR Truck Series driver Carson Hocevar is set to compete for the team behind the wheel of the No. 42 Chevrolet in this coming Sunday evening’s Cup Series playoff opener at Darlington Raceway.

Hocevar, who made his Cup Series debut at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway back in early June, currently competes for Niece Motorsports in the Truck Series and sits in fourth place in the standings through the first two races of the playoffs.

The 20-year-old Portage, Michigan native has earned three victories so far this season, the first three victories of his career.

In his NASCAR Cup Series debut, Carson Hocevar competed for Spire Motorsports behind the wheel of the No. 7 Chevrolet.

Full-time Spire Motorsports driver Corey LaJoie had been called upon by Hendrick Motorsports to replace the suspended Chase Elliott. Hocevar started in 26th place but was involved in an early crash.

Legacy Motor Club’s plans for the No. 42 Chevrolet beyond this Sunday’s 367-lap Cook Out Southern 500 at the four-turn, 1.366-mile (2.198-kilometer) egg-shaped Darlington, South Carolina have not yet been confirmed.

Rookie Noah Gragson began the season as the full-time driver of the car, but before the race at Michigan International Speedway earlier this month, he was suspended indefinitely by both the team and NASCAR for “liking” an inappropriate meme on social media. He later requested his release from the team, and it was granted.

Josh Berry and Mike Rockenfeller have each driven the No. 42 Chevrolet twice since then, with the former doing so in the oval races at Michigan and Daytona International Speedway and the latter doing so in the road course races at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Watkins Glen International.

The Cook Out Southern 500 is scheduled to be broadcast live on USA Network from Darlington Raceway beginning at 6:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, September 3. Start a free trial of FuboTV today and be sure not to miss it!