CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 27: Carson Hocevar, driver of the #42 Premier Security Solutions Chevrolet, waits on the grid prior to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series North Carolina Education Lottery 200 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 27, 2022 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Carson Hocevar was injured in a last-lap crash at Gateway last weekend. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series

Hocevar Cleared To Race At Sonoma With Broken Tibia

June 10, 2022

Six days after he broke the tibia bone near his right ankle, NASCAR Truck Series driver Carson Hocevar hopped on one foot as he navigated out of his Niece Motorsports hauler to sit in a chair in the Sonoma Raceway garage.

Once sitting, Hocevar updated the media for the first time on his condition following a last-lap crash in the Truck Series at Worldwide Technology Raceway.

Hocevar, 19, shared that he had surgery on Monday to have a screw inserted into his right tibia.

With NASCAR Cup Series driver Daniel Suarez on standby in case he needs to spell him, Hocevar has been cleared by a doctor and NASCAR to participate in the Truck Series race on the 1.99-mile, 11-turn road course following a 50-minute practice on Friday. 

Hocevar said NASCAR required him to put on a uniform and helmet and climb in and out of his No. 42 truck multiple times as part of the requirement to be cleared for practice.

“The plan is to race for a championship and not prolong this. I’m gonna do the best I can, and we’re gonna take it step by step,” Hocevar said, ironically. “Whether I get one lap of practice or a handful, it’s just gonna determine that. … Niece Motorsports (and his sponsors) they all planned on us going to 23 races and being at Phoenix. And I would be very selfish if I gutted it out for 75 laps here and 100 degrees and cost ourselves two or three more weeks of this injury versus just taking it as I can. 

The Truck Series had a 50-minute practice session Friday in which NASCAR and the team evaluated whether Hocevar was capable of racing in his condition. NASCAR required Hocevar and Suarez to both make laps during the session. At the end of the session, the drivers combined for 21 laps the seventh fastest speed.

Eckes Paces Truck Series Practice At Sonoma

“I’ve always broke with my left foot. So I’m not gonna chapter change a whole lot,” Hocevar said. “I’m just gonna hit the gas right, brake left.”

Hocevar will wear a brace on his right ankle to help him press on the throttle.

Hocevar said “more than anything” he wants “to start the race.”

If Hocevar is able to take the green flag and is later replaced by Suarez, Hocevar will receive any points the team earns Saturday. Hocevar is currently eighth in the Truck Series point standings and is not locked into the playoffs yet.

“Obviously, I don’t want to say my motor coach or sit in the trailer and watch,” Hocevar said. “I want to try and tough it out a little bit. But more than anything it’s just gonna be about pain tolerance today. It’s super hot. They glued it (the area of the surgery), didn’t stitch it. There’s a lot of variables and I don’t know a lot, and I’m so bad at assuming the worst. I feel confident I’ll be just fine. I just don’t know how long I’ll be able to last, the whole practice or the whole race. But if NASCAR will let me, I’ll for sure start.”

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