Carson Hocevar Suffers Late Flat Tire Ending NASCAR Win Hopes at Michigan

Carson Hocevar experienced a heartbreaking finish at Michigan International Speedway during the NASCAR Cup Series race, where a flat left-rear tire with 18 laps remaining dashed his hopes for a first career victory at his home track. Despite leading a personal-best 32 laps and showing strong pace and skill, Hocevar's fuel strategy was already precarious, and the tire failure forced an untimely pit stop, resulting in a 29th-place finish. This misfortune echoed a similar incident the previous day in the Craftsman Truck Series at the same venue, where he also lost a potential win due to a flat tire late in the race. Hocevar’s 2025 season has been marked by multiple near misses and mechanical issues, including engine failure and pit stop troubles, underscoring a pattern of bad luck despite his evident talent and aggressive driving style. The Michigan race also saw William Byron lose the lead late due to fuel depletion, allowing Denny Hamlin to secure the win. Hocevar remains determined, acknowledging the setbacks but expressing gratitude and focus on future opportunities.