Carson Hocevar and Cleetus McFarland win LeMullets 2026 in epic finish

Carson Hocevar and Cleetus McFarland emerged victorious in the 2026 edition of the 2.4 Hours of LeMullets, a full-contact Crown Vic race held at the Freedom Factory short track in Florida. The 3/8-mile oval course included a chicane on the backstretch, where much of the action and carnage occurred. This annual event, established in 2020, saw Hocevar and McFarland claim their second consecutive win.

Notable drivers, including NASCAR Cup drivers Denny Hamlin, Ryan Preece, and Ty Dillon, participated in the race. Preece's race took a dramatic turn when he spun into the tires on the backstretch and was challenging for the lead when it all went awry. Dillon, in command, was pushed out of the way by Hocevar as the white flag flew. Dillon retaliated into Turn 1, nearly hitting a tractor tire as he tried to slow down for the chicane.

Hocevar surged ahead, sliding sideways upon making slight contact, and reclaimed the lead. Dillon, racing with his father Mike Dillon, and Hamlin, partnering with Alex Presley, finished third in a chaotic late charge. Hocevar expressed his satisfaction with the front bumper's impact, a result of a brake-check incident during a previous race. He praised the camaraderie among the racers and mentioned surprising Preece by pushing him safely for 35 minutes.

Preece expressed his gratitude to Hocevar and Hamlin shared his wild night, mentioning his car's damages. The race was a chaotic night of racing, featuring a rollover crash for Bug Strmiska, who climbed atop the upside-down car and raised his fists to the sky.