Spire Motorsports Fines Carson Hocevar Over Mexico Comments
Spire Motorsports on Tuesday issued a $50,000 fine to sophomore driver Carson Hocevar. Hocevar, 22, made controversial comments about the Nascar Cup Series' debut race in Mexico City before flying down to Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
'If the travel was better, if getting here was easier, if you felt safer getting to and from everywhere, if it wasn't such a sh*thole, if the track limits were a little better enforced, if it was going to be a little bit better of a race, and it wasn't so easy to, or feel so locked down like you can't leave anywhere, it'd be a great experience,' Hocevar said during a Twitch livestream while he was competing in iRacing.
Hocevar, who's taken Nascar by storm this year while competing for wins, apologized for his comments prior to the penalty. His comments have not warranted a penalty from Nascar itself.
'Maybe a kid that had never been out of the country until Thursday should ever give an opinion about what any place is like other than Portage, Michigan," he tweeted on Monday.
"When I answered that question on a stream, I was skeptical about the trip so far and believed everything I read or heard about Mexico City from people who more than likely also had never been here. Now that I've actually left my hotel a couple times and raced here in front of some of the most passionate fans I've ever seen, my opinion has changed. I am embarrassed by my comments, by the race I ran, and I may have to move here to hide out from Ricky anyway.
"Count this as another lesson for me in a season I've learned so much. Don't believe everything you hear without seeing it yourself. If anyone should give anyone or any place the benefit of the doubt it's me. I'm sorry Mexico City. Consider me an ally going forward and an example of getting off Twitch and seeing things with my own two eyes.'
Hocevar's fine will be donated equally to three Mexican nonprofits, including Cruz Roja Mexicana (Mexican Red Cross), Un Kilo de Ayuda, and Fondo Unido México (United Way Mexico).
It is rare for a Nascar team itself to fine a driver, rather than the sanctioning body itself. Hocevar will also complete a mandatory cultural-sensitivity and bias-awareness training.
But Hocevar genuinely apologized – for the second time – after the team issued its public fine.
Hocevar said: "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? 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. I appreciate the opportunity to learn and I knew before this weekend what respect means to this organization and I didn't meet the standard so I got what I deserved. I hate learning these lessons in the public eye and bringing any negative attention to Spire or me.
'We've been fast just about every week and I'm sure I have plenty of mistakes left in me. I appreciate growing up in front of all of you and you guys get to see the good and the bad. I'm just me. I'm trying. It just doesn't always go the way I want and I bring a lot of this on myself.'
Hocevar is known on track for his aggressive driving style, unafraid to irritate his competitors. His tactics have gotten him in trouble as of late, including multiple altercations with Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Hocevar has led 70 laps this year and has a pair of runner-up finishes at Atlanta and Nasvhille. At Charlotte, in Nascar's longest race, he was in contention to win until an engine failure.
After 16 races, Hocevar is 20th in the standings and is in contention to be the first Spire Motorsports driver to compete in the playoffs.
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