NASCAR is performing a deeper inspection process after the Cup Series race at Darlington Raceway last weekend. Carson Hocevar’s No. 77 car for Spire Motorsports has been taken to the NASCAR R&D Center for further inspection after Darlington, the sport announced. Hocevar finished in fourth place at Darlington for his best finish of the 2026 NASCAR season.
The Spire Motorsports driver has been fast to start of the 2026 Cup Series season and found even more pace at Darlington. NASCAR taking Hocevar’s No. 77 car to the R&D Center doesn’t automatically mean something is wrong; however, it does heighten the risk of a potential penalty.
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In the NextGen car era, drivers and teams have received significant penalties when NASCAR takes a car to the R&D Center. There have been several occasions when they have lost over 100 points due to an infraction. Most cars are cleared after going to the R&D Center, but exceptions exist.
Hocevar will likely be OK; however, NASCAR has blasted teams in the past for any wrongdoing.
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This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: NASCAR to further inspect Carson Hocevar’s No. 77 car after Darlington
