In NASCAR, fuel isn’t just about speed. It’s strategy, survival, and sometimes, sheer suspense. Superspeedway races like Talladega have turned fuel mileage into a game of inches, where saving a splash can steal a win. Think Austin Dillon’s 2017 Charlotte victory. He won the race by stretching his final fuel run. Dillon stayed out while most frontrunners pitted with about 32 laps to go (Lap 368 of 400), saving enough fuel to make it to the end. But not everyone’s sold on the slow burn.
While most drivers lift early and coast to conserve fuel, one rising Cup Series star is sick of it. He’s not interested in calculators or quiet coasting. He’s got a full tank and something to prove. As the field prepares to tiptoe through Talladega’s tight packs and pit windows, this bold new antagonist is ready to go wide open out of pure protest. Let the chaos begin.
Carson Hocevar aims straight at the Superspeedway strategy
Carson Hocevar has never been shy about speaking his mind, and Talladega is no exception. The Spire Motorsports driver recently voiced frustration with fuel-saving strategies, calling them boring and unnatural. “I told my guys I’m just going to run the thing out of fuel because I’m just bored of it,” Hocevar said, teasing an all-gas, no-brakes protest.
His Talladega tactic? Hold it wide open. Literally. “I’m just going to do it out of protest,” he declared. At superspeedways like Talladega and Daytona, drivers often run bumper-to-bumper at half-throttle for long stretches to conserve fuel. But Carson Hocevar seems fed up with the tame approach. He wants chaos, unpredictability, and what he calls real racing, even if it means running out of gas before the checkered flag.
Carson Hocevar’s disdain stems from more than just opinion. Rather, it’s personal experience. And a recent one. At the 2025 Daytona 500, he suffered fuel pressure issues late in the race and finished 30th. It was a frustrating end after spending much of the day aggressively battling in the draft. After the race, he took to social media, highlighting how drivers often run at half throttle during large portions of these races, which he and many fans find dull and contrary to the spirit of racing.
That race seems to have shaped his current philosophy: if you’re not going full throttle, why bother at all?
“I’ll just run the thing out of fuel,” Hocevar said with a laugh. “And hope we get a yellow that I don’t run out.” In NASCAR, a yellow flag signals caution, usually due to a crash or debris, slowing the field and freezing positions. It’s a chance to save fuel or regroup without losing ground. The comment might’ve sounded tongue-in-cheek, but Hocevar’s body language said otherwise. His team, already bracing for the unexpected, seems to be backing his play, even if it turns into a caution-triggering gamble.
With Talladega’s unpredictability and Hocevar’s full-send mindset, fans might be in for a different kind of show. His stance could ignite conversation across the paddock about the balance between strategy and spectacle. But if more drivers share his attitude, could NASCAR’s strategy-heavy style see a cultural shift soon?
The antagonist approves the new marketing strategy ahead of Talladega
Chili’s has scored big with NASCAR driver Carson Hocevar’s enthusiastic approval for its wild “Margarita” marketing stunt ahead of the Talladega race weekend. The casual dining chain, a Spire Motorsports sponsor, unveiled a creative twist on the classic mechanical bull by replacing it with a giant blue Margarita shaker branded with Chili’s logo. This interactive attraction was set up in the Talladega infield. It offers fans aged 21 and over a chance to sample Margaritas while riding the shaker from Friday through Saturday afternoons.
Carson Hocevar, who drives the Chili’s-sponsored No. 77 car for Spire Motorsports, took to social media to share the campaign with a humorous caption: “Good excuse to head to the blvd.” The “Blvd” refers to Talladega Boulevard, the famous party zone known for its lively fan events during race weekends. His lighthearted endorsement highlights how Chili’s marketing stunt perfectly captures the fun and festive atmosphere surrounding Talladega. However, rain has played spoilsport with the Boulevard event being cancelled due to the weather.
This campaign builds on Chili’s growing presence in NASCAR since 2024. It first partnered with Spire Motorsports and launched its “Ride the ‘Dente” campaign, celebrating its iconic Presidente Margarita. The Talladega activation creatively blends Chili’s signature cocktail culture with the high-energy world of NASCAR, engaging fans beyond the racetrack.
For Carson Hocevar, who has had a challenging start to the 2025 season, the Margarita shaker stunt offers a welcome distraction and a chance to connect with fans in a memorable way. Chili’s imaginative marketing and Hocevar’s genuine enthusiasm make this one of the season’s most talked-about promotional efforts heading into Talladega.
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