NASCAR

NASCAR Cup Series Würth 400: Qualifying, Cowboy Carson Hocevar’s Pole Position, Lineup At Texas Motor Speedway

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By
Jeff Hawkins
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Jeff Hawkins Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He joined the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on NASCAR's increasing corporate influences, particularly in northern racetracks — commentary which you might find Jeff building on as part of the Motorsports writing team at Sportscasting now.  

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Published03 May 2025

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xfinity hocevar cowboy pole (1)

NASCAR Cup Series driver Carson Hocevar cowboyed up Saturday, earning his first career pole position for Sunday’s Würth 400 at Texas Motor Speedway. 

Dressed in a cowboy-inspired firesuit while donning a block cowboy hat, Hocevar celebrated with teammates. Hocevar turned a hot qualifying lap of 191.659 mph, edging runner-up William Byron by 0.014 seconds. 

At 22 years old, Hocevar became the youngest Cup pilot to start on the inside of the front row at the 1.5-mile quad oval.  

“Having the cowboy outfit, what better place to get on the pole,” Hocevar told Prime Video.  

After struggling at the start of the season, Hocevar finished 30th or worse in five of 11 outings. With last Sunday’s P6 at Talladega, it appears he is beginning to hit his groove. In his second full-time season, Hocevar seeks his first national series win since claiming four checkered flags on the Truck circuit in 2023.

Kyle Petty’s Charity Trek Revs Up Saturday 

Kyle Petty continues to ride. 

The former Cup competitor is set to begin his 29th Kyle Petty Charity Ride. The 2025 edition opened Saturday in Traverse City, Michigan, and is scheduled to end in Hot Springs, Virginia on May 9.  

The 1,400-mile trek will cut through portions of the Midwest and some Mid-Atlantic states. Over the history of the charity rides, Petty has raised more than $22 million for Victory Junction camp and select organizations. Last year’s version collected $1.8 million for charities. 

Former drivers Ken Schrader and Kenny Wallace were scheduled to be among the nearly 225 riders who plan to make the weeklong venture.

Starting Lineup for NASCAR Cup Series’ Würth 400    

Here is a look at the lineup for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series’ Würth 400 at Texas Motor Speedway: 

Starting Position, Driver, Car No.

  • 1, Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Chevrolet 
  • 2, William Byron, No. 24 Chevrolet 
  • 3, Austin Cindric, No. 2 Ford 
  • 4, Kyle Larson, No. 5 Chevrolet 
  • 5, Michael McDowell, No. 71 Chevrolet 
  • 6, Ty Gibbs, No. 54 Toyota 
  • 7, Josh Berry, No. 21 Ford 
  • 8, Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Toyota 
  • 9, Bubba Wallace, No. 23 Toyota 
  • 10, AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Chevrolet 
  • 11, Alex Bowman, No. 48 Chevrolet 
  • 12, Chris Buescher, No. 17 Ford 
  • 13, Zane Smith, No. 38 Ford 
  • 14, Erik Jones, No. 43 Toyota 
  • 15, Justin Haley, No. 7 Chevrolet 
  • 16, Christopher Bell, No. 20 Toyota 
  • 17, Tyler Reddick, No. 45 Toyota 
  • 18, Noah Gragson, No. 4 Ford 
  • 19, Austin Dillon, No. 3 Chevrolet 
  • 20, Cole Custer, No. 41 Ford 
  • 21, Riley Herbst, No. 35 Toyota 
  • 22, Chase Briscoe, No. 19 Toyota 
  • 23, Ty Dillon, No. 10 Chevrolet 
  • 24, Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Ford 
  • 25, Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Chevrolet 
  • 26, Kyle Busch, No. 8 Chevrolet 
  • 27, Joey Logano, No. 22 Ford 
  • 28, John Hunter Nemechek, No. 42 Toyota 
  • 29, Chase Elliott, No. 9 Chevrolet 
  • 30, Brad Keselowski, No. 6 Ford 
  • 31, Ross Chastain, No. 1 Chevrolet 
  • 32, Todd Gilliland, No. 34 Ford 
  • 33, Ryan Preece, No. 60 Ford 
  • 34, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 Chevrolet 
  • 35, Jesse Love, No. 62 Chevrolet 
  • 36, Cody Ware, No. 51 Ford 
  • 37, Shane van Gisbergen, No. 88 Chevrolet 
  • 38, Chad Finchum, No. 66 Ford