Carson Hocevar has landed himself in hot water after making disparaging remarks about Mexico prior to NASCAR's Cup Series race in Mexico City. The 22-year-old Michigan native faced swift punishment from his team after describing the host city as a "s**thole" during a live stream before even setting foot on the track.
According to the Daily Mail, Hocevar made the controversial comments while discussing the upcoming race at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. His remarks came before NASCAR's first-ever Cup Series event at the venue, which is primarily known for hosting Formula One's Mexico City Grand Prix.
The young driver complained about various aspects of the experience, from travel difficulties to safety concerns, before using the derogatory term to describe the location. His comments sparked immediate backlash and prompted his team, Spire Motorsports, to take disciplinary action.
Spire Motorsports responded to Hocevar's comments by issuing a $50,000 fine and requiring him to complete cultural-sensitivity and bias-awareness training. The team emphasized that their actions aligned with their core value of respect, which they proudly display across their equipment and digital platforms.
"Respect is not a slogan. It is a daily expectation that we 'walk the walk' in how we speak, compete, and serve the communities that welcome our sport," stated Spire Motorsports in their official response. The team made it clear that Hocevar's livestream comments failed to meet their standards.
The disciplinary measures were communicated to NASCAR, which reportedly did not impose any additional punishment beyond what the team had already implemented. The fine will not go to waste, with Spire announcing the funds will be distributed to several Mexican charities.
Following his 34th-place finish out of 37 drivers at the Mexico City race, Hocevar has publicly apologized multiple times for his pre-race comments. The driver acknowledged that his opinion had changed after experiencing the event firsthand.
"My opinion has changed. I am embarrassed by my comments," Hocevar stated in his initial apology on Sunday. However, as criticism continued to mount, he issued a more comprehensive statement acknowledging his mistake and accepting full responsibility for his actions.
Hocevar later wrote: "Whoa everybody, the truth is the truth. I said something that not only was wrong, I said it without even laying my own two eyes on CDMX or turning one lap in an actual race at an amazing facility that welcomed me with open arms and I go and say that?"
The substantial fine levied against Hocevar will serve a meaningful purpose in the very country he insulted. Spire Motorsports announced that the $50,000 penalty will be distributed to three Mexican charitable organizations.
The Mexican Red Cross, Mexican United Way, and Un Kilo de Ayuda will all receive portions of the fine. The latter organization focuses specifically on combating childhood malnutrition and supporting early-childhood development initiatives throughout Mexico.
This approach turns the negative incident into an opportunity to provide support for important causes in Mexico. The distribution of funds represents a tangible way for both Hocevar and his team to make amends for the harmful comments.
Hocevar's controversial remarks and subsequent fine come at a critical time in his racing career. Currently sitting 20th in the NASCAR Drivers' Championship standings, the young driver has shown promise with second-place finishes at both Atlanta and Nashville this season.
The incident adds an unfortunate chapter to what had been shaping up as a solid rookie season for the 22-year-old. NASCAR's Cup Series continues this weekend at Pocono Raceway in Pennsylvania, where Hocevar will likely face increased scrutiny from fans and media alike.
Following his public apologies, Hocevar thanked supporters but clarified that he wasn't looking for defense of his remarks. "Thank you for the support but I'm not sure we're on the same page. You guys want me to be me? It was me who said it and it was me who apologized after actually taking the time to explore the city and feel the passion of every fan in attendance," he wrote.
