This season saw Carson Hocevar transition from a highly aggressive, yet undeniably talented rookie into a strong contender. Driving the No. 77 Chevrolet, the young Michigan native began to temper some of his raw, controversial moves that earned him both accolades and stiff penalties in his inaugural Cup Season. But if controversies were not enough for the ‘Hurricane Hocevar’, he’s also infamous for his knack for collecting high-profile, iconic memorabilia.

Hocevar has grabbed headlines time to time for his unpredictable purchases that speak volumes about his young, enthusiastic lifestyle. A bizarre instance occurred once when Hocevar took to social media to announce that he had purchased his local Chili’s restaurant, later admitting it was all a satirical dig at internet rumors. Lately, reports circulated about his acquiring a vintage Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet Silverado Truck. And after Earnhardt, it’s Kasey Kahne’s turn.

Hocevar successfully brokered the purchase of the legendary EMS Chassis 206, a former Car of Tomorrow machine that had been advertised on a public marketplace platform. “My most recent marketplace purchase arrived. EMS Chassis 206. It raced in the very first COT race in 2007 at Bristol and started on front row. Then qualified on the Pole for the night race the same year and finished 2nd,” he wrote on Facebook.

The rich, niche lore attached to EMS Chassis 206 is closely tied to NASCAR fan-favorite Kasey Kahne, who piloted the car under the Gillett Evernham Motorsports banner during the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. The particular chassis was a Dodge Charger built to CoT specifications. Its most notable achievement was earning a trip to Victory Lane with Kahne at the prestigious 2008 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway.

In addition to its All-Star win, Kahne utilized the same Chassis 206 earlier that season in points races at various tracks, including Martinsville Speedway, Darlington Raceway, and New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

The revelation that Hocevar had purchased the car immediately sent ripples of excitement and speculation throughout the NASCAR community. This authenticity resonates deeply, transforming a simple collector’s purchase into a collective celebration of NASCAR history.

Fans applaud Carson Hocevar’s wild throwback purchase

A passionate fan encapsulated the cultural revival of Kasey Kahne, writing, “FINALLY ITS FU—G KASEY KAHNE FRIDAY.” The phrase has been a rallying cry across social media with memes and reels flooding in every Friday featuring Kahne’s iconic #9 car, finish-line shots, and the signature “Air Raid” battle cry from his fanbase. What started as a simple nostalgic now has morphed into a weekly digital celebration.

One fan quipped, “Ah to be young, single, and have way too much disposable income.” The 22-year-old Cup Series driver told media that he owns three or four cars bought via Facebook Marketplace, including a street-legal ’97 Chevy Silverado tribute unveiling for Darlington‘s Throwback Weekend.

Hocevar described his hunt, saying, “Definitely another NASCAR car… One’s going to be a remake of a street car I saw in a funny Instagram post. Another is a real Cup car I want to get.”

Another fan added to that sentiment, saying, “I love that this is what he’s doing with his money. Just living and buying shit he thinks is cool off Facebook Marketplace.” Not just Hocevar, even veterans like Greg Biffle are known for more structured collecting and restoration projects.

Biffle has documented his own Marketplace acquisitions on YouTube, including a challenge where he and friends bought cars under a $2,000 limit, like a pair of three-wheelers, with the expressed love from fans for the multi-millionaire driver.

Others now see Hocevar through the same lens, as one fan noted, “A man of the people. Impulsive marketplace buys with some added niche lore.” While some brought out their analytical skills, summarizing, “This looks to have been built specific for concrete. It ran both Bristol and Dover races in 07, was very good at Bristol but never won. Car is supposed to have 5 confirmed starts.” 

The car’s reputed five confirmed starts are highly plausible at concrete tracks in that era, as he notably finished 2nd at the first ever CoT, and Kahne’s performance in that era.

In a sport often defined by speed and precision, Hocevar reminds fans that passion and a bit of spontaneity still drive NASCAR’s heart.