Heartbroken Carson Hocevar rues missed NASCAR opportunity at Daytona 500

Carson Hocevar cut a dejected figure post-race at the Daytona 500 on Sunday after a cruel NASCAR blow.

The controversial rising star had done everything right during The Great American Race and was leading as the white flag waved to signal the final lap.

However, just seconds later, Hocevar's hopes of Daytona 500 glory were crushed. The outside lane behind him gained momentum, and Erik Jones in the No. 43 ran into the back of him, sending Hocevar's No. 77 Chevrolet into the wall and causing a big wreck.

Hocevar eventually finished the race 18th, and after climbing out of his car in the garage area, the heartbreak was clear for all to see.

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Carson Hocevar misses out on Daytona 500 win

Speaking to FOX Sports live on air post-race, the man dubbed 'The Hurricane' analyzed how the day played out from his perspective.

“I don't really know what happened other than I felt like I got a good shot in the rear but they're a little offset,” a dejected Hocevar said.

“I was just trying to get our lane rolling, but yeah, really proud of these guys. At least there wasn't a tire or a motor or some other freak deal, so I go to bed tonight knowing that, and knowing I don’t know what I would really do different.

“I was just really proud of our effort and our car and felt like we could push no matter who it was to lead and go forward, and then kind of run lanes, but I was a lot better pushing.

“So just felt like we're gonna be in [with] a good shot and felt really good about today, and it was so close.”

Many Daytona 500s to come

“Thank goodness Dan Towriss and Jeff Dickerson believe in me and they get to let me have a lot more shots at this Daytona 500 thing,” Hocevar added, referring to his huge new deal recently signed at Spire Motorsports that will see him continue racing in the Cup Series into the next decade.

“Besides, for the year, that's good points and between the Duel and the stage and then having a shot with our speed and then going to the track that I really like, hopefully we can make something of this."