Hocevar and McFarland secure consecutive LeMullets 2026 victories

Carson Hocevar and Cleetus McFarland have claimed victory in the 2026 LeMullets 2.4 Hours race, a high‑contact Crown Victoria competition held at the Freedom Factory short track in Florida.

The 3/8‑mile oval featured a back‑stretch chicane that became a focal point for overtaking maneuvers and contact throughout the event.

The LeMullets race has been an annual fixture since 2020, and Hocevar and McFarland have now won back‑to‑back titles. The field included several prominent NASCAR Cup Series drivers, such as Denny Hamlin, Ryan Preece, Ty Dillon and Hocevar himself.

The 2026 edition culminated in a dramatic showdown when Ryan Preece spun into the tires on the backstretch, driving a backup car after an earlier crash, while challenging for the lead.

Ty Dillon led the race, but Carson Hocevar forced him wide as the white flag waved. Dillon retaliated in Turn 1, only to run wide and narrowly hit a tractor tire while attempting to slow for the chicane. Hocevar surged ahead, making slight contact and reclaiming the lead.

Hocevar held off Dillon to secure the victory, with the crowd erupting in approval. Dillon was co‑driving the car with his father Mike Dillon, while Denny Hamlin, teamed with Alex Presley, fought back late to finish third amid the chaos.

“I’m glad it was just the front bumper—the rear bumper was rather pricey the last time I used that,” said Hocevar, referencing a brake‑check incident with Austin Cindric at Martinsville that led to his suspension from the season finale.

“It was a lot of fun,” Hocevar added. “Competing with these drivers was enjoyable. I encountered several familiar foes, but they’re all laughing about it now. This was a great experience, and I truly appreciate it.”

Cleetus praised Hocevar as a “cheat code,” noting that all he needed to do was “drive safely for 35 minutes.”

Ryan Preece approached Hocevar with a smile to congratulate him. Hamlin reflected on his turbulent night in the No. 11 ride: “I hit everything but the lottery, that’s for sure. The car lost its radiator and right‑rear tire coming to the checkered. I needed Carson to be a bit more aggressive on Ty Dillon; it was unusual for me to ask, but that’s what I required. Watching his move was textbook—he passed Dillon, then fell just short of regaining the lead.”

The race also featured a spectacular rollover crash by Bug Strmiska, who emerged from an upside‑down car and celebrated by raising his fists to the sky.

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