PORTAGE, Mich. (WOOD) — Despite some speculation online, Chili's says a NASCAR driver has not purchased the restaurant's Portage location.

Portage native and Chili's-sponsored NASCAR driver Carson Hocevar posted to Facebook Friday stating he had purchased the restaurant's Portage location off South Westnedge Avenue.

He also posted a clip to his Instagram account, joking about outsized changes he planned to make to the location.

"Carson Hocevar, the NASCAR Cup Series driver we sponsor, is not buying Chili’s in Portage," a Chili's spokesperson told News 8. "His funny post is an example of his passion for both our brand and his hometown."

The restaurant's status had been called into question following a radio station's claim that it would be torn down. "The rumors of Chili’s in Portage cl

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