Carson Hocevar, just a 22-year-old Spire Motorsports kid, started 2025 with a bang at Atlanta. He came in second, but in a matter of just 1 race, he pissed off some big names—nudged Kyle Larson, and spun Ryan Blaney. People are split between seeing this as a rookie screw-up or a future champ. Chase Elliott and Ross Chastain got flak like this early too, and look at them now. Hocevar’s not slowing down, and he’s got someone solid to guide him.
Let’s talk about Luke Lambert, the guy steering Hocevar’s wild ride as his crew chief in the NASCAR Cup Series. This duo’s got everyone watching. Lambert’s calm and Hocevar’s all fire which could be a game-changer. Let’s break down who Lambert is, where he’s been, and what he’s doing with this young “villain.”
Who is Luke Lambert?
Luke Lambert runs the show for Hocevar’s No. 77 car at Spire Motorsports. Hailing from Mount Airy, North Carolina, racing is in his veins. He’s worked with heavy hitters at Richard Childress Racing, RFK Racing, and now Spire, who paired him with Hocevar in 2024. It’s clicking maybe perfectly, maybe messily, depending on who you ask.
He’s quiet but gets drivers. Spire co-owner Jeff Dickerson said, “Luke Lambert is a complete professional and highly regarded competitor who has worked with Carson in the past. His demeanor and ability to connect with his drivers is what makes him a perfect fit. He has worked directly with Ryan Sparks previously, so that points directly to the synergy we’re looking for amongst our competition group.” That’s big. With Hocevar acting like NASCAR’s bad boy, Lambert’s steady hand might be what keeps him going.
From Karting to Crew Chief: Luke Lambert’s Racing Exploits
Lambert started young with go-karts after Bristol Motor Speedway hooked him. He raced, fixed them, and had big dreams. He went to North Carolina State University, studied mechanical engineering, joined Wolfpack Motorsports, drove, worked on cars, and learned it all.
Graduating in 2005, he got a job at Richard Childress Racing with Jeff Burton’s No. 31 team as a mechanical engineer. By 2007, he was a race engineer. In 2011, when Todd Berrier was fired as Burton’s crew chief, Lambert took his spot in the Cup Series, which was a huge jump. He stayed with RCR. Lambert got Newman to second overall in 2014 and hit the Championship 4. Then at RFK Racing, he ran the No. 17 with Chris Buescher in 2020, and later the No. 6 with Newman. Every stint in every team made him sharper. Spire got him with over ten years of experience in the Cup Series.
Will Luke Lambert’s Leadership Prove to Be Fruitful for Carson Hocevar?
People either completely love him or hate him, but what they agree on is that he’s got skills. Being crew chief for Hocevar was not going to be easy. Spire saw that and teamed him with Lambert in 2024. Lambert’s not just fixing the car, he’s shaping a guy who’s raw and fearless. Hocevar’s “villain” vibe comes from bold moves that wreck some feelings and he needs Lambert to steer it right.
“It might explain sometimes when I do dumb things or make mistakes, but a lot of times, it’s literally just going off instinct and doing everything and literally being on autopilot,” Hocevar told NASCAR.com on Feb. 4. “That’s why I want to race every day of my life, just because the more I can be on that autopilot, the better I think I am.”
Carson Hocevar
They’ve clicked before. In late 2023 at Legacy Motor Club, they worked together for nine Cup races, and they achieved a best finish of 11th at Bristol. Now full-time at Spire with the No. 77, Lambert’s experience fits Hocevar. Spire’s counting on them to step up, and we’re starting to buy it. Hocevar’s got four Truck Series wins but now wants Cup glory. Lambert’s been to playoffs and almost won it all. Young guts and old wisdom together could work wonders.
Is a maiden victory in store for Carson Hocevar and Luke Lambert in the 2025 Cup Series season?
Starting at 2025 Vegas, Pennzoil 400, Hocevar’s was vat 25th. He had hit seventh by lap 125. Lambert called it a “versatile setup” and it’s working. Makes you wonder whether their first Cup win is just around the corner. “I feel like his runway is really long here,” Lambert said. “I feel like that my role in it with him is to work with him and help him to expect some of the things that are going to be big challenges in this sport and learn the right times to push the right times to make aggressive moves really try to reinforce the discipline that it takes to compete at this level.”
Spire is neither Hendrick nor Gibbs, but they’re scrappy favorites. Lambert’s brains and Hocevar’s speed made them stars in the Truck Series. And soon Lambert’s playoff runs plus Hocevar’s guts could bring them a win, but not a title yet. Hocevar’s “villain” label might stick and he doesn’t care who he ticks off but Lambert’s keeping him grounded. Spire’s got something brewing here. We can see Hocevar crossing first, Lambert on the radio. It’d show this gig’s more than just work. It’s about turning a hothead into a winner.
A 2025 win for them is not just doable but easily within their grip with domination. When it happens we might want to see what Kyle Busch has to say.
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