NASCAR Driver Carson Hocevar Punished For Mexico City Comments
NASCAR Driver Carson Hocevar Punished For Mexico City Comments originally appeared on The Spun.
NASCAR Cup Series driver Carson Hocevar has dominated the headlines over the past few days because of his comments about Mexico City.
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During a since-deleted stream on Twitch, the talented driver for Spire Motorsports called Mexico a "s--hole." This was before the Cup Series made its way over to Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez for this past Sunday's race. Shortly after receiving backlash for his behavior, Hocevar issued an apology to NASCAR fans around the world.
"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," Hocevar wrote on X. "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."
Despite this apology from Hocevar, he received a hefty punishment this Tuesday.
NORTH WILKESBORO, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: Carson Hocevar, driver of the #77 NASCAR Day Giveathon Chevrolet, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Open at North Wilkesboro Speedway on May 17, 2024 in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. (Photo by)For starters, Spire Motorsports has fined Hocevar $50,000 for his remarks. His money will be donated to three organizations that serve communities in Mexico. Additionally, he'll have to undergo cultural-sensitivity and bias-awareness training.
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"These actions are consistent with Spire Motorsports' core value of RESPECT, which is something we proudly display on every race car, team uniform, trackside hauler, and digital channel," Spire Motorsports said in a statement. "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.
"Carson's recent comments made during the livestream fell short of that standard. They did not represent the views of Spire Motorsports, our partners, or NASCAR. Carson has acknowledged his mistake publicly, and his prompt, sincere apology demonstrated personal accountability. We now take this additional step to underscore that words carry weight, and respect must be lived out loud."
NASCAR fans have applauded Spire Motorsports for this decision. As for Hocevar, it's very clear that he knows he messed up. Now it's up to him to gain people's trust back.
Related: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Critiques Carson Hocevar's Attitude and Performance
NASCAR Driver Carson Hocevar Punished For Mexico City Comments first appeared on The Spun on Jun 18, 2025
This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jun 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
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