Cup Series driver Carson Hocevar has a little more to worry about than threats from Ricky Stenhouse Jr after a second altercation during the road course race at Autodromo Hermans Rodriguez on Sunday.
During a livestream event Hocevar made some disparaging remarks about Mexico City that car owner Spire Motorsports termed disrespectful. As a result, Spire Motorsports fined Hocevar $50,000.
Normally NASCAR fines are donated to the NASCAR Foundation; but with the team issuing the fine, the money will be divided between three different charities in Mexico …
The Mexican Red Cross – Cruz Roja Mexicana
Un Kilo de Ayuda – combats childhood malnutrition and supports early childhood development in rural communities
United Way Mexico – Fondo Unido Mexico
The stream which has since been deleted was made before the drivers and crews travelled to Mexico last week.
Along with the fine, Hocevar must attend cultural-sensitivity and bias-awareness training.
While not specifying exactly what the 22 year old driver said, Spire Motorsports issued a statement saying, “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. 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.”
The statement continued, “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.”
In his apology issued on social media Hocevar said, “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. 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 [Stenhouse Jr.] anyway.”
He continued, “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.”
After consultations with NASCAR, Spire issued a statement saying, “NASCAR has confirmed that our team-imposed discipline satisfies the sanctioning body’s requirements. Together we remain committed to showcasing NASCAR’s global growth, celebrating the passionate Mexican fanbase we experienced firsthand last weekend, and ensuring every member of our organization treats hosts, competitors, and communities with dignity.”
In a post-race confrontation, Stenhouse threatened to do bodily harm to Hocevar once they returned to the United States.