Back in the Driver’s Seat: Hocevar and Zeigler Automotive Reunite for 2026
Zeigler Automotive Group is doubling down on the future of NASCAR, announcing a renewed partnership with Spire Motorsports and Michigan’s own Carson Hocevar for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season. This deal locks in the massive dealership group as the primary sponsor for 11 races, continuing a relationship that dates back to the start of Hocevar’s career.
For fans who have followed the young driver’s ascent, this partnership feels less like a corporate transaction and more like a homecoming. Zeigler, one of the largest privately-owned dealer groups in the nation, isn’t just slapping logos on a hood; they are investing in potential.
Building on a Breakthrough
Coming off a stellar 2025 season where he snagged Rookie of the Year honors, Hocevar has quickly transitioned from a “driver to watch” to a legitimate contender on Sundays. His sophomore campaign turned heads across the garage, highlighted by two runner-up finishes, one on the high banks of Atlanta and another at the concrete oval in Nashville.
Perhaps even more telling of his raw speed was his first career pole position at Texas Motor Speedway. Aaron J. Zeigler, president and CEO of Zeigler Auto Group and Zeigler Racing, sees exactly what race fans are seeing: a driver with grit.“Sponsoring Carson Hocevar for the 2026 season is about more than putting our name on the No. 77.”
“It’s about supporting someone who represents the future of this sport and the way we do business,” Zeigler said. “Carson brings intensity, authenticity, and a relentless drive to improve every time he takes the track. That mindset will take him far, and we can’t wait to see what he does next as he continues to push what’s possible.”
The 2026 Zeigler Schedule
The familiar yellow and black paint scheme will make its 2026 debut right out of the gate at the season-opening Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium. From there, the branding will feature prominently across some of the sport’s most iconic venues. Here is where you can expect to see the Zeigler colors on the No. 77 Chevy Camaro:
- Bowman Gray Stadium – February 1
- Michigan International Speedway – June 7
- Pocono Raceway – June 14
- Chicagoland Speedway – July 5
- Atlanta Motor Speedway – July 12
- Indianapolis Motor Speedway – July 26
- Iowa Speedway – August 9
- Richmond Raceway – August 15
- Bristol Motor Speedway – September 19
- Kansas Speedway – September 27
- Martinsville Speedway – November 1
For Hocevar, the Michigan race date is likely circled in red ink. Growing up in Portage, Michigan, practically in the shadow of Zeigler’s Kalamazoo headquarters, makes this partnership personal.
A Hometown Connection
It is rare in modern motorsports to see a driver-sponsor pairing that feels this organic. Hocevar, now 22, recognizes the significance of having a hometown backer in his corner at the highest level of stock car racing.“I’m excited to continue our partnership with Zeigler Automotive Group,” Hocevar said.
“I grew up right down the street from their headquarters in Kalamazoo, so it is cool to see how it has all come full circle. The whole Zeigler family have been such great supporters of me and the No. 77 team since day one. I’m looking forward to continuing to build our partnership on and off the track and can’t wait to park the Zeigler Chevrolet in Victory Lane this year,” he added.
Hocevar’s trajectory with Spire has been steep. After making his Cup debut in June 2023 at World Wide Technology Raceway and logging solid Xfinity Series now the O’Reilly Autoparts Series runs, he blew the competition away in his 2024 rookie season. He finished with a massive 107-point cushion over the next closest rookie competitor, cementing his status as the real deal.
Spire Motorsports Continues to Grow
This announcement is another stabilizing block for Spire Motorsports, an organization that has steadily grown from a backmarker team into a competitive outfit capable of battling for wins. Retaining a partner like Zeigler, who has been involved in the Cup Series since 2019 and operates 88 franchises across the Midwest, provides the financial continuity needed to keep the No. 77 fast.
The 2026 season officially kicks off with the exhibition Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium on February 1. Fans can catch the action live on FOX at 8 p.m. EST, or listen in via the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. With a long-term partner secured and a breakout season in the rearview mirror, the pressure is now on Hocevar to do one thing: turn those runner-up finishes into wins.
