A Star Is Born in Alabama
Commentary: Hocevar’s Talladega win gives NASCAR a needed jolt
A Star Is Born in Alabama Sean Gardner - Getty Images I happened to be having dinner in a Chili’s restaurant at the moment that Carson Hocevar crossed the Talladega Superspeedway finish line in a Chili’s-sponsored Chevrolet to win Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race. I suddenly felt like running outside, jumping in my car, leaving most of my body outside the vehicle and making fast laps around the parking lot. Fortunately, the chips and salsa arrived and drew my attention elsewhere.
Elsewhere on Sunday, a star was born in Alabama. Hocevar has been building a star resume for many months now, making news, making moves, making friends and enemies, making money, making sponsors happy. What he needed to complete the resume was what happened in Sunday’s Alabama sunshine—a star turn on the last lap, an eyelash victory, and a celebration unlike all celebrations before.
Keep this up, and Hocevar could become one of the most famous Carsons since Johnny. It’s one thing to have a bright, controversial, ever-present personality like Hocevar’s, but that can carry one only so far. To prove he could be both dynamic and a winner completes the circle.
Hear from Steve O'Donnell on NASCAR Inside the Race. pic. twitter.