Carson Hocevar secured the pole position for the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, posting a blistering lap of 186.598 miles per hour. The performance marked his third career Busch Light pole award and underscored the speed his No. 45 Spire Motorsports entry has achieved in recent weeks.
Joining him on the front row, Daniel Suárez posted a qualifying speed of 186.382 mph, setting the stage for a tight battle at the start. Behind them, Tyler Reddick, Ty Gibbs and Denny Hamlin rounded out the top five, promising a competitive field for the historic event.
A Milestone for a Rising Star
Defending Brickyard 400 champion Bubba Wallace will start 29th, while Spire Motorsports teammates Ryan Blaney and Todd Gilliland are slated to begin the race in 13th and 36th positions respectively, the latter also a contender in the NASCAR In‑Season Challenge.
Hocevar said he already has a celebration in mind should he capture the victory, noting that the crew’s fuel and pit strategy will be crucial to preserving his advantageous position throughout the 400‑mile contest.
The driver reflected on his roots, recalling childhood days racing quarter midgets and keeping a few bricks from the track as souvenirs. He also spoke about the importance of poles and wins in earning invitations to high‑profile galas and events.
Hocevar expressed admiration for Dale Earnhardt Jr., citing the legendary driver’s career as a model for his own path, and marveled at seeing his own Talladega win immortalized on a diecast model.
Describing the Indianapolis layout, he called the track smooth and enjoyable to drive on, and shared that his favorite Brickyard 400 memory is the 1992 tire test before the grass was installed around the speedway.