Stenhouse Jr. Escalates Tensions With Hocevar in Mexico: 'Gonna Beat Your A**'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. walked up to Carson Hocevar's car after the Mexico City Cup Series race and threatened him for allegedly driving into him for the second time. The incident occurred weeks after Hocevar crashed into Stenhouse Jr. at Nashville Superspeedway.
Stenhouse Jr. was furious that Hocevar made contact again in Mexico, marking a second incident between the two drivers in the same month. The Hyak Motorsports driver walked up to Hocevar's car after the race and said:
"I'm going to beat your a**. You're a lap down. You got nothing to do. Why did you run right into me? Second time."
The Stenhouse - Hocevar discussion with background noise reduction https://t.co/oDmgbwIzz3 pic.twitter.com/RQdgwvMxbY — nascarman (@nascarman_rr) June 15, 2025
He added before walking away:
"I'm going to beat your a** when we get back to the States."
Ricky Stenhouse Jr., driver of the #47 Fun Pops Chevrolet, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway on May 10, 2025 in Kansas City, Kansas.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr., driver of the #47 Fun Pops Chevrolet, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway on May 10, 2025 in Kansas City, Kansas.Speaking to FOX Sports' Bob Pockrass, Hocevar admitted it was his fault and explained his side of the story. He said:
"I know he was very mad, and I was very apologetic. I just got left and in the marbles and slid a lot longer than I expected. Obviously, No. 1, that's not somebody I would ever want to hit again. But No. 2, I wasn't racing anything. I was just logging laps, just trying to wait on a yellow and maybe see if we can put our day back together.
"I just hit a curb wrong and got in the marbles and slid all the way through the corner. I tried to turn left and avoid him. But just a really, really sloppy day by me. And then that was another incident of the day that was really just sloppy."
What Carson Hocevar said about the Ricky Stenhouse Jr. incident. pic.twitter.com/XfGpTYS4w8 — Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) June 15, 2025
Stenhouse Jr. called it a dumb move by Hocevar. He told Bob Pockrass:
"I told him on the phone [after Nashville], if it happens again, we're going to have issues. And then that one was even worse because he's a lap down. He's racing nobody.
"I was working on the 34 [of Todd Gilliland] trying to work my way forward. The tire attrition was pretty difficult coming down to the end of it. And just from two, three [lengths] back, he just ran right in the back of us. A really dumb move, two out of three weeks on me now."
Carson Hocevar locks up and he sends Ricky Stenhouse Jr into a spin.@AlwaysRaceDay pic.twitter.com/uwarlxarh7 — Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB) June 15, 2025
The race in Nashville early this month saw Stenhouse Jr. lose several positions after he was hit by Carson from behind, causing him to hit the wall at high speed. Stenhouse Jr. hinted back then that a payback was coming for Carson. Newsweek Sports reported:
"A lap or two before, he [Hocevar] tried to dive in there from about 10 car lengths back and then that time, I just opened my entry a little bit and he over-charged the corner and drilled us in the rear bumper.
"I'd say it's not out of the norm from him, but I definitely wasn't expecting that at that point of the race. It's just a bummer for us."
He added: "Bummed our day ended like that. Definitely will have something to do about it at one point."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- Yahoo
NASCAR's Mexico City race: How a historic event overcame skepticism and delays
Shane Van Gisbergen, center, celebrates at the Victory Lane after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race with second place Christopher Bell, left, and third place Chase Elliott at Hermanos Rodríguez race track in Mexico City, Sunday, June 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano) Shane Van Gisbergen, center, celebrates at the Victory Lane after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race with second place Christopher Bell, left, and third place Chase Elliott at Hermanos Rodríguez race track in Mexico City, Sunday, June 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano) MEXICO CITY (AP) — Despite the handful of industry insiders too scared to leave their hotels in Mexico City, NASCAR's first international Cup Series race of the modern era was a cultural experience that brought new fans to the series and provided its competitors with a chance to enjoy a new country. The event had its detractors — rumors persisted for months that it would be canceled over security concerns or the escalating tensions between the United States and Mexico — and some NASCAR team members remained critical all the way through Sunday's race. Advertisement But was it a success? Even with travel delays, hotel room snafus and confusion over shuttle transportation, it was unequivocally a shining moment for NASCAR. 'Every single thing about this weekend exceeded my expectations,' said Daniel Suarez, the Monterrey-born NASCAR driver who was the face of the three-day weekend. 'The people, the fans, the sponsors, the excitement, the energy. I had expectations for this weekend... and I can tell you that I personally exceeded those expectations.' The idea to try the road course at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez — host of one of the most popular Formula 1 events on that calendar — was the brainchild of Ben Kennedy, executive vice president and chief venue and racing innovations officer. The great-grandson of NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. has been aggressive in shaking up a schedule that went to the same tracks on the same weekends for decades. Bringing the Cup Series to Mexico City — only the third race outside the U.S. in 77 years — was a chance to expose stock car racing to a new demographic and give Mexican fans their first chance to see the series race live. Advertisement 'This was a historic moment for our sport, for Mexico, and for the global motorsports community,' Kennedy said after Shane Van Gisbergen won Sunday's race to lock the New Zealander into the playoffs. 'One of the coolest parts about this weekend was seeing the reaction of the fans. I had the opportunity to go into the stands a few times,' he continued, 'the energy and the passion of the fans here is unmatched.' Kennedy said 90% of those in attendance were from Mexico, with 44% from Mexico City. Most important, there were 'a lot of new fans coming out of this weekend.' Will NASCAR return? Even so, Kennedy could not guarantee another race in Mexico City. FIFA has World Cup games scheduled for this same week next year and there are the logistical issues of finding a date during a packed 38-week schedule. Advertisement The cars had to leave Michigan International Speedway immediately after last week's race to make the 40-hour journey across the border, and now must get to Pocono Raceway in Pennsylvania in time for this weekend's race. 'I want to go everywhere in the world — England, Germany, South America, Australia, every where we can go,' said Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon, the vice chairman at Hendrick Motorsports. "The next thing that makes sense in Canada. But we have to figure out the schedule before we do too much of this. 'We can't do this. Michigan, Mexico City, back to Pocono, can't happen. We're doing it and we're excited to take on the challenge, but it's going to wear on us and I don't think we can do it all back-to-back. So we've got to make some adjustments to the schedule and how do we fit it all in into what's already a very difficult schedule.' Where will NASCAR go next? Advertisement Nothing is off the table for Kennedy, who is globally exploring where NASCAR can race and showcase its product. One glaring issue: Those in the industry who remain comfortable with the same old schedule of traveling to Bristol, Tennessee, and Martinsville, Virginia, and Darlington Raceway in South Carolina twice a year. While those markets are tied deeply to NASCAR's Southern roots, there isn't room for growth in playing to the same crowds over and over. The pushback on Mexico City didn't come from any high-profile drivers, but Ricky Stenhouse Jr.'s spotter had a scathing social media post ripping the city in which he said 'screw this place, people can talk it up all they want' and 22-year-old driver Carson Hocevar had a similar sentiment in derisive comments on a live stream he has since walked back. 'Maybe a kid that had never been out of the country until Thursday should never give an opinion about what any place is like other than (hometown) Portage, Michigan,' Hocevar posted on social media. "I was skeptical about the trip and believed everything I read or heard about Mexico City from people who more than likely also had never been here. Advertisement '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,' he continued. 'I am embarrassed by my comments.' A cultural field trip This was baffling to some of the more well-traveled drivers, including Kyle Larson, who has raced at 200-plus different tracks around the world and makes annual trips to Australia and New Zealand. He also attended the 2021 Formula 1 season finale in Abu Dhabi and then vacationed in Dubai. He likened Mexico City to a field trip for NASCAR because the drivers all stayed in the same hotels and rode buses together to the circuit each day. On a normal weekend, they are holed up in their motorhomes at the track and rarely venture out. Advertisement 'It's honestly really fun and enjoyable to be around your competitors and get to know each other a bit better because on a typical weekend, we just kind of lock ourselves in wherever we're at,' he said. "We don't talk to anybody or anything. So it's nice that, yeah, you're almost forced to hang out with each other. It's cool. You get to know them, so I've enjoyed that.' Even Kyle Busch, who was arrested in Mexico in 2023 for carrying a concealed weapon, was surprised by the few who had a negative response to racing in Mexico City. 'The food is amazing, the city has some of the top restaurants in the world,' Busch said. 'This is a great place to be and I don't understand the people holed up in their hotels too scared to leave. Live a little.' ___ AP auto racing:
Fox Sports
an hour ago
- Fox Sports
FOX Sports Announces Return of FOX SARATOGA SATURDAY - Fox Sports Press Pass
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NEW YORK - JUNE 07: Raging Torrent with Frankie Dettori up wins the Hill N Dale Metropolitan Mile during the 157th running of the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on June 07, 2025 in Saratoga Springs, New York. (Photo by) Live Coverage Begins Independence Day, Friday, July 4 Weekly Saturday Broadcasts Starting July 19 Los Angeles – Today, FOX Sports announced the return of FOX SARATOGA SATURDAY, a national showcase of the annual summer meet at historic Saratoga Race Course, airing Saturdays this summer on the FOX broadcast network. The announcement follows news from the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) that The Belmont Stakes will return to Saratoga for a third consecutive year in 2026. Coverage begins with special holiday programming on Independence Day, Friday, July 4 , with The Belmont Derby, followed by six consecutive Saturdays of live racing from one of the sport's most iconic venues beginning Saturday, July 19 . FOX SARATOGA SATURDAY concludes with the DraftKings Travers on Saturday, August 23 , on FOX. 2025 FOX SARATOGA SATURDAY SCHEDULE (All Times ET) Friday, July 4 Network 5:00 to 6:00 PM Grade 1, $750,000 Belmont Derby FOX Saturday, July 19 5:00 to 7:00 PM Grade 1, $500,000 Coaching Club American Oaks FOX Saturday, July 26 3:00 to 6:00 PM Grade 2, $500,000 Jim Dandy presented by Mohegan Sun FOX Saturday, August 2 3:00 to 6:00 PM Grade 1, $1 million Whitney FOX Saturday, August 9 3:00 to 6:00 PM Grade 1, $750,000 Sword Dancer FOX Saturday, August 16 4:00 to 6:00 PM Grade 1, $600,000 Alabama presented by Keeneland Sales FOX Saturday, August 23 3:00 to 6:30 PM Grade 1, $1.25 million DraftKings Travers FOX FOX Sports and NYRA first joined forces in 2016 with the launch of SARATOGA LIVE, the critically acclaimed and award-winning television show providing daily coverage of the 40-day summer meet at historic Saratoga Race Course. FOX Sports has continually expanded its coverage of racing's most important events each year since 2016, most recently broadcasting the 157th Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets from Saratoga. Highlighted by the 156th renewal of the Grade 1, $1.25 million DraftKings Travers on Saturday, August 23 and the Grade 1, $1 million Whitney on Saturday, August 2 , the annual 40-day summer meet at historic Saratoga Race Course will open Thursday, July 10 and continue through Monday, September 1 .
Fox Sports
an hour ago
- Fox Sports
NASCAR hopeful for deserved return to Mexico City in 2026; will INDYCAR join?
MEXICO CITY — The Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez circuit in Mexico City has played host to Formula 1 races for several years. This year, the NASCAR Cup Series made its debut at the facility. INDYCAR could possibly join the fun in 2026 as both NASCAR and INDYCAR look to increase their North American fan bases. Whether NASCAR returns will be determined in the next couple of months. NASCAR and promoter OCESA must evaluate the first trip of Cup to Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez and the first visit south of the border of any NASCAR national series in 17 years. It had been 67 years since NASCAR had staged a Cup points race outside the United States. "We believe that our communities share a spirit of optimism and desire to improve the lives of our people through collaboration and connection," NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps told the drivers prior to the race. "We believe this is particularly true through sports, and in our case, motorsports. We have the honor and responsibility to excite, entertain and unite through our sport, and I know how much putting on a great show means to all of you. "We hope that NASCAR can continue to foster meaningful relationships here in Mexico for many years to come." Both NASCAR and INDYCAR have Mexican drivers competing at their highest levels. Daniel Suarez was a fan favorite this past weekend. INDYCAR driver Pato O'Ward — who, like Suarez, is from Monterrey — has a following that is likely double or more than Suarez as Mexican fans tend to follow open-wheel racing. "We would love to go there," O'Ward said after his second-place INDYCAR finish Sunday at World Wide Technology Raceway outside of St. Louis. "I think it would be fantastic to have INDYCAR there, and we're sure as hell going to try and pack the whole place up." NASCAR Executive Vice President Ben Kennedy's primary role is spearheading the expansion of the schedule to new venues. He said finding the right spot on the calendar will be the key to returning to the venue, which hosts a Formula 1 race each year and quite possibly an INDYCAR race next season. INDYCAR's most likely date would come in the spring, where there are fewer races and there are questions about a return to Thermal. NASCAR's possibly is more closer to the summer, although the 2026 World Cup will have matches in Mexico City from June 11-July 5, which potentially could impact when NASCAR could or would want to race there. Formula 1 already has announced its 2026 schedule and will race Nov. 1 in Mexico City, whose motorsports calendar also has included a Formula E event (which this year was in January). Kennedy indicated that the deal with OCESA to promote the race is a multi-year agreement, but it has options year-to-year on whether to continue. "We're very hopeful to be back here in the future," Kennedy said. "We said this time and time again, ... we've been bold and we've been innovative. We've done things like races in downtown Los Angeles and building a temporary [track] there [in the L.A. Memorial Coliseum], the first-ever street race in our sports history in downtown Chicago and this was the next milestone moment for us — bringing a race internationally. "We're very bold about continuing to bring our NASCAR Cup Series internationally. Mexico is a great place to do it." Sunday's race wasn't a sellout, but it was an enthusiastic crowd. Kennedy said 90 percent of the fans came from Mexico and 44 percent from Mexico City. "We were happy with [the attendance]," Kennedy said. "The stadium section was packed ... What's just as important to us as the amount of people is the fact that there were avid fans that were here, there were casual fans that were here, and there were a ton of new fans that had never been to a NASCAR race." Whether the event made money likely wouldn't be an issue regarding NASCAR's decision to return. "For us, this is more of a strategic move as a sport to expand our footprint globally and internationally and to a new massive fan base," Kennedy said. "Just being in a country with 90 million people and over 20 million people in the larger Mexico City metro alone, that, in and of itself, is a success. ... That carries a lot more weight than the economics or financials of the event. " NASCAR did have some challenges, especially with planes it chartered to bring teams and other industry personnel. One plane apparently blew an engine and another was grounded by homeland security due to a paperwork issue. That resulted in NASCAR having to change its Friday and Saturday schedules, as teams on those planes either had to wait for planes for the next day or two or scramble for commercial flights. "There are challenges to internationally that are different," said RFK Racing owner and driver Brad Keselowski, who competed in one of the Mexico races when the Xfinity Series raced there from 2005 through 2008. "I suspect the industry will re-learn some of those lessons from a decade plus ago and be equipped to handle it better the next time." The drivers seemed to embrace the atmosphere and the culture. Several had come to the area in the last couple months to try to create awareness for the race. "It was a really special thing for us to be able to come down here and do this," said NASCAR's most popular driver, Chase Elliott. "I thought it was really well done. I haven't had any bad experiences throughout either one of my trips to Mexico City. "I thought the weekend was overall a success." NASCAR seemed to have learned from some of its experiences at new road courses and appeared to find a solution with strategically placed tire packs to ward off drivers trying to cut the turns. "It's always cool going to different places," said race winner Shane van Gisbergen. "But I have no say in it. "I think everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. The racing was cool. I'd love to come back." Some might not think the racing was as cool as van Gisbergen, who won by 16.567 seconds over Christopher Bell. While the second half of the race provided little drama, the racing on Saturday in the Xfinity Series certainly delivered, as that series can occasionally get a little chaotic. Emerging from the chaos was Daniel Suarez, NASCAR's lone Mexican-born Cup driver and the only Mexican to win a Cup race and the only international driver to win a national series championship. The fans roared for Suarez, who had made several trips himself to Mexico City to promote the event. "Every single thing about this weekend exceeded my expectations. The people, the fans, the sponsors, the excitement, the energy," Suarez said. "I had expectations for this weekend. Not for the results but for the event and I can tell you that it personally exceeded those expectations. "So very, very happy for that. Very blessed. I hope that we can do it many more times." We'll see if that happens. "Racing here in Mexico City among these passionate fans in such an impressive venue, for the first time in NASCAR Cup Series history is, in a word, spectacular," Phelps said in his address to the drivers. "Together, we are doing something that will be remembered in the history of our great sport." Bob Pockrass covers NASCAR and INDYCAR for FOX Sports. He has spent decades covering motorsports, including over 30 Daytona 500s, with stints at ESPN, Sporting News, NASCAR Scene magazine and The (Daytona Beach) News-Journal. Follow him on Twitter @bobpockrass. recommended Get more from NASCAR Cup Series Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
