Getty

Carson Hocevar wins at Talladega.

For the first time in his career, Carson Hocevar is a winner in the NASCAR Cup Series.

In his 91st career start, the driver of the No. 77 found his way to the front in the Jack Link’s 500 at the Talladega Superspeedway. On the last lap, Hocevar outdueled Chris Buescher with help from Alex Bowman to get to the finish line first.

Buescher finished second, followed by Bowman in third, Chase Elliott in fourth, and Zane Smith in fifth. 

Hocevar became the 13th driver in NASCAR history to score his first career Cup victory at Talladega. The win was the second in the history of Spire Motorsports, with their latest win coming with Justin Haley at Daytona in 2019.

Hocevar: ‘I knew we were going to win’

After taking the checkered flag, Hocevar waved to the Talladega crowd as he sat on the side of his No. 77 car and rode down the frontstretch. 

As tears filled his eyes during his post-race interview with FOX, there was one person Hocevar had on his mind and was hopeful that he was watching.

His grandfather. 

“I’m just so thankful. This is the biggest dream I’ve ever thought of. … Hopefully my grandpa’s watching. My grandma died last year, so I’m so thankful that I can give my grandpa a trophy now,” Hocevar said.

From the time the race began, Hocevar said he knew he would end up in victory lane.

The Spire Motorsports driver led 19 of the race’s 188 laps en route to his first Cup Series triumph. 

“I knew we were going to win. I really did,” Hocevar said. 

The victory was massive for Hocevar in the points standings, too, as he jumps up to the eighth position with 16 races remaining before The Chase.

Bubba Wallace crashes, triggers ‘The Big One’ in stage two

Sunday’s race will be memorable not just for Hocevar’s win, but for what happened during stage two.

On lap 116, Bubba Wallace was leading the field around the 2.66-mile superspeedway. Everything was going the 23XI Racing driver’s way until a push from Ross Chastain sent him spinning.

Right in front of the field, Wallace’s spin triggered “The Big One” at Talladega. In total, at least 26 cars were involved in the incident. The wreck included Wallace, Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney, Kyle Larson, and many others.

Ryan Preece, Ross Chastain win stages

Tyler Reddick led the field to the green flag in Sunday’s Jack Link’s 500. The driver of the No. 45 started on the pole after qualifying was canceled due to rain the day prior.

By the end of the opening stage, Ryan Preece found his way to the front to earn the stage win. His RFK Racing teammate, Brad Keselowski, finished second.

In stage two, Ross Chastain claimed the victory in the No. 1 machine, while Christopher Bell placed second in the No. 20 car.

After 10 races, Reddick continues to be the points leader. This year’s Daytona 500 winner now has a 110-point lead over Denny Hamlin, who is currently second. Third is Ryan Blaney (-140), fourth is Chase Elliott (-144), and fifth is Ty Gibbs (-162).