Hocevar suspended by Spire Motorsports, will miss NASCAR season finale

Carson Hocevar will not compete in the NASCAR Cup Series season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway after Spire Motorsports suspended him over his conduct in the Martinsville Speedway race last weekend. Justin Haley will drive Spire's No. 77 Chevrolet at Homestead.

During the 500-lap Martinsville race, Hocevar brake-checked Austin Cindric on a straightaway, damaging the Team Penske Ford's front end and ending Cindric's race. Cindric finished 36th and dropped from eighth to 11th in the driver standings. NASCAR separately fined Hocevar $100,000 and docked him 25 driver points.

Spire co-owner Jeff Dickerson said the team chose to act itself rather than leave the matter to NASCAR, stating that the organisation believes in respect and that the conduct did not meet its standards. Hocevar described the day as embarrassing and apologised to his team, sponsors and fans.