Hometown Hero Hocevar Dominates at Berlin Raceway's Battle at Berlin 250

In a thrilling display of skill and determination, Carson Hocevar, a native of Portage, Michigan, emerged victorious at the TEKTON Battle at Berlin 250 held at Berlin Raceway on August 8, 2024. The event, which featured a record-breaking ,000 prize for the winner, saw Hocevar outshine a field of talented drivers from across North America.

Hometown Hero Conquers the Competition

Hocevar's Dominant Performance

From the moment the green flag dropped, Carson Hocevar was a force to be reckoned with. The NASCAR Cup Series driver set the fastest time during qualifying, earning an additional ,000 in prize money. Quickly moving up from his starting position on the fourth row, Hocevar took the lead on Lap 13 and held it through a red flag until Lap 93, when reigning Battle at Berlin winner Bubba Pollard briefly took the lead.Following a caution on Lap 109, Hocevar made a daring three-wide pass, reclaiming the lead and battling Pollard for the majority of the race. In the final laps, Hocevar fended off a challenge from Byron native Erik Jones to cruise to victory, leading a total of 167 laps on the night.

Hocevar's Emotional Victory

Hocevar's victory at his home track held special significance for the young driver. "It's so big," he said in victory lane. "It's pretty special to win here. Driving this car was so much fun to drive. This place is tough with this [American Racer] tire. I don't think I, or anybody else has enjoyed them since they switched to them…maybe if they put a race like that on, I'm going to beg to keep them on."The former NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver admitted that battling with Jones and Pollard, two of the sport's top drivers, was a challenge, but he was determined to hold off Pollard and secure the victory.

Hocevar's Growing Legacy

This victory marks Hocevar's first Battle at Berlin win, adding to his impressive resume at the track. The Spire Motorsports driver has previously won the track's other big event, the Money in the Bank, in 2020 and 2021. With this latest triumph, Hocevar has solidified his status as a rising star in the racing world and a force to be reckoned with at Berlin Raceway.

Pollard's Missed Opportunity

One of the other storylines heading into the race was Bubba Pollard's quest to become the first driver to ever sweep the track's two big events in the same season. The 2023 Battle at Berlin and 2024 Money in the Bank victor led 16 laps, but ultimately fell short, finishing third behind Hocevar and Jones.Pollard acknowledged that he became "comfortable" with the car and failed to make the necessary adjustments to secure the win. "The top three was pretty equal all night," Pollard said. "I knew Erik [Jones] was riding right there in the middle part of the race. I just didn't adjust, and it cost us tonight."

Jones' Valiant Effort

Erik Jones, the Legacy Motor Club driver, came into the race with high hopes of taking home the big cash prize. The three-time NASCAR Cup Series race winner led 43 laps, more than any other driver not named Hocevar. However, he ultimately finished second, feeling that he was "just too tight" and unable to make the necessary adjustments to secure the victory.Jones' performance, while not resulting in a win, showcased his skill and determination on the track. The Michigander's runner-up finish demonstrated his ability to compete at the highest level and his potential to challenge for future victories at Berlin Raceway.

Holtzlander Continues Dominance in Sportsman Division

The night's action kicked off with a 40-lap feature in the Baker Auto Group Sportsmans division. Points leader Ryan Holtzlander continued his impressive run, setting the fastest time in qualifying and leading the final 18 laps to secure his fourth win of the season. Holtzlander's consistent performance has allowed him to extend his lead in the championship standings, further solidifying his status as a driver to watch in the division.