The 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season came to a thrilling conclusion on Sunday, November 10, with the Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway. Joey Logano emerged victorious, securing his third Cup Championship after a dramatic race. Carson Hocevar has been named the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year. Driving the No. 77 Chevrolet Camaro for Spire Motorsports, Hocevar delivered a solid rookie campaign, which included a career-best third-place finish at Watkins Glen in September. He also earned one Top 5, six Top 10s, and 13 Top 15 finishes.
"This award will be something that will live with me my whole career, and I'm proud to be known as the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year. There's an elite list of guys who have won it, and many of them went on to win races and championships," Hocevar shared.
"The award is something you only have one shot at. You can never go back and try to win Rookie of the Year later down the line. It is the only thing like that in racing. It is cool to win something so significant this year, and the mission is now to get the No. 77 car to Victory Lane and in the playoffs in 2025."
Hocevar accumulated 686 points during the season, finishing 107 points ahead of the next closest rookie. He was also the highest-placing rookie in 15 races.
"Being named Sunoco Rookie of the Year is special. I got beat out for Rookie of the Year in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, and I didn't run in the Xfinity Series full time so to win the award in the NASCAR Cup Series is a huge accomplishment for our whole team. It definitely didn't come easy," Hocevar remarked.
"It was a good group of accomplished drivers vying for it, and it means a lot to come out on top. We ran really strong at the end of the year and were able to pull away in terms of points. These last several weeks show our capabilities as a team."
A native of Portage, Michigan, Hocevar made his debut in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series on June 4, 2020. In 2023, he had four starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, securing two Top 10 finishes. Later that year, he signed a multi-year deal with Spire Motorsports.
"I am incredibly proud of the effort Carson (Hocevar) and the No. 77 team have put into the 2024 season. Carson is a tremendous talent and that, combined with his effort and dedication, has led to solid performance on track, and continuous improvement throughout the season. I am honored to be a part of Spire Motorsports as we continue to progress as a NASCAR Cup Series team. Carson and the No. 77 team are committed to constant improvement and look forward to building on this rookie season in 2025," said crew chief Luke Lambert.
