Spire Suspends Carson Hocevar for Homestead; Justin Haley Takes the No. 77

Spire Motorsports has suspended Carson Hocevar for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, with Justin Haley replacing him in the No. 77 Chevrolet.

The team announced the decision Tuesday after Hocevar’s incident with Austin Cindric at Martinsville. NASCAR.com reported that SMT data showed Hocevar repeatedly brake-checking Cindric, whose damaged No. 2 Ford failed to finish and was classified 36th.

Hocevar denied intentionally hitting Cindric, according to The Associated Press.

Spire co-owner Jeff Dickerson said Hocevar’s conduct fell below the organization’s expectations for drivers and employees. The suspension was imposed by the team, rather than announced as a NASCAR disciplinary penalty.

Dickerson said the organization remained supportive of Hocevar while determining that his behavior required consequences. Haley will take over the car for the final race of the season.

The Cup championship race is scheduled for November 8 at 3 p.m. EST, with coverage on NBC and HBO Max. MRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio will also carry the event.

Spire said it would compete together at Homestead before preparing for Daytona in February. Its announcement did not describe the one-race suspension as a termination of Hocevar’s place with the organization.