It was almost a storybook moment for Carson Hocevar and the Michigan NASCAR fans in the stands watching. Then, Denny Hamlin hit the track as the last driver out in qualifying, and took it all away. Hamlin, long-time veteran turned villain of the series, couldn’t let the good guys win one this weekend.
Carson Hocevar is one of the most popular young drivers in NASCAR right now. He is often compared to Dale Earnhardt Sr. with how he races on the track. At Michigan, his home track, he might as well be Dale Sr. with how much they love him there.
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The crowd roared to life when Hocevar went P1 on the board in qualifying. Then, it was a waiting game. All of those hopes and dreams were crushed as the black hat of NASCAR went to the top and there were no more cars left in the order.
“Yeah, I get it. I totally understand. I remember being at Richmond, way back ’06 or so, ’07, and trying to get a pole at my home track. I get it. I feel, like, that sorry for him,” Hamlin said as he held up his fingers almost pinched together shut.
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Denny Hamlin now has 62 wins and 50 pole awards. There are not many drivers who can say they have eclipsed both of those milestones in their careers. It’s not only a testament to Hamlin, but the cars that Joe Gibbs Racing has delivered to him for two decades.
Today, Carson Hocevar is going to be a little heartbroken. He came up short in the Truck Series race after having debris on the grille of his truck. Now, he comes up short for the Cup Series pole award. If that doesn’t motivate him for Sunday, nothing will.
Perhaps to make matters worse for Hocevar, Hamlin will have to start at the rear of Sunday’s race. His team has to repair a damaged splitter on the No. 11 car. So, Hocevar will lead the field to green, but it won’t count for anything in the record books.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2026, where it first appeared in the Racing section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
