Driven To Win

Carson Hocevar, 2017 JEGS/CRA Super Late Model Champion

By Cam Benty

As you read this article, Carson Hocevar is about to attend his first driver’s education class near his home in Portage, Michigan. What that means is the 2017 Berlin Raceway Super Late Model Champion is just now of the age when the State of Michigan will allow him to slip behind the wheel of the family car, with an instructor in the passenger seat, and learn how to drive.

Seems kind of silly, doesn’t it?

Hocevar’s list of accomplishments is certainly amazing and stretches back to his quarter midget days when the 6-year-old would take the wheel and race to the checkered flag. Working through various levels of competition, shepherded by parents Scott and Amy and mentored by racer Johnny Benson, Hocevar’s talent behind the wheel is proving out.

How talented? This year, the ninth-grader from Gull Lake Partnership will not only take Rookie of The Year honors, but has also locked himself into the Championship finale at Winchester Speedway.

“I was about 2 years old when I first began watching racing on TV,” Hocevar says. “I knew right then that this was something that I wanted to do. This year is the biggest of my career with the win in the Pro Late Model competition at Winchester Speedway Labor Day weekend.”

Benson, an accomplished NASCAR competitor and family friend, has been a big help to the Hocevar team for a number of years, honing Carson’s skills in competition. The two accomplished racers were first introduced when Carson’s father purchased one of Benson’s old race cars.

“I think Johnny Benson saw that I was serious about my racing early on and became a great teacher,” Hocevar says. “There were a lot of things that I learned from him, but one of the most was how to communicate. He made it clear that I had to quickly relay feedback about the car’s condition and handling to the pit crew, to avoid forgetting key things that could help them improve the setup. It’s easy to forget things that happen because things are happening so fast in racing. The more time you allow them to make adjustments, the better.

“The biggest turning point in our season happened at Winchester, Indiana,” he continues. “We struggled early on during that race and kept getting pushed to the bottom of the track. Unfortunately, the high line is the fastest around that track and I just could not get there. Eventually, we got a few breaks and some things opened up. I finally found myself in the right place at the right time. That was our biggest win of the season and set us on course for a championship run.”

This season championship is a huge step for Hocevar, who now sets his sights on the future, which includes enlarging the 2018 travel schedule to further challenge his racing skills and add to his long list of accomplishments. With the guidance of KBR Development and an all-veteran supporting cast including Zach Dunson and Mike Bursely, his chance for additional wins is assured.

There is one twist: This year, Hocevar could find himself qualified to drive the tow vehicle for his racecar — and that’s quite the accomplishment.

Career Highlights

Winningest USCA Quarter Midget Driver in History
11 USCA Quarter Midget National Championships
15 Midwest Quarter Midget Regional Championships
200-plus Quarter Midget Feature Victories
Finished 3rd in his 3rd-ever USCA HPD Midget Start (2015)
Won first Outlaw Late Model Heat race at Berlin (MI) Speedway
Multiple Top 5 feature finishes at Berlin Speedway
Set CRA Late Model Track Record and finished 4th in the First JEGS/CRA race at Berlin Speedway when he was just 13 years old

Carson’s Car

The Scott’s Racing Super Late Model pavement race car that Carson Hocevar pilots features a KBR Development-tune, VanDoorn Racing Chassis, and a McGunegill Racing Engine small-block Chevy for power.

As with all of the Scott’s Racing race cars, Driven Racing Oils are exclusively used.

“We’ve been using Driven Racing Oil since 2004 and have had zero failures so far as a result of lubricant issues,” notes Zach Dunson, crew chief for the Scott Racing Team. “I feel that we get better wear from our differential, Hightower transmissions, and other components with their lubricants. We are very pleased with their products.”

And there are many Driven products in use: