Carson Hocevar fined for making insensitive comments about Mexico

Spire Motorsports have taken action against their own driver, Carson Hocevar. The NASCAR Cup Series competed in Mexico City for the first time last weekend in an event that was positively received by most of the garage. 

But while the 22-year-old rising star was iRacing and live-streaming on Twitch, Hocevar chose to refer to Mexico as a “s***hole” in comments that received immediate pushback. Hocevar quickly apologized for the comments, but the team later chose to launch an internal review of the incident.

As a result, the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year has been fined $50,000 and must now complete mandatory cultural-sensitivity and bias-awareness training. The money will be split between three Mexican charities, including Cruz Roja Mexicana (Mexican Red Cross), Un Kilo de Ayuda (a nonprofit combating childhood malnutrition and supporting early-childhood development in rural communities), and Fondo Unido México (funding local NGOs that improve education, health, and housing).

Spire Motorsports statement

The team released a statement as well, explaining the decision to penalize the driver of the No. 77 Chevrolet: “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.

“Carson Hocevar’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. He 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.

“Spire Motorsports has informed NASCAR of these penalties, and 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.

“We look forward to turning the page by racing hard, representing our partners, and living our values on and off the track.”

Carson Hocevar apology

Carson Hocevar, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet

Photo by: David Jensen / Getty Images

Hocevar, who had a run-in with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. during the race, which led to a post-race confrontation, released the following statement before the penalties were even announced on Sunday night:

“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] anyway (referring to incident with the driver of the #47 car).

“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.”

New statement from Hocevar

Carson Hocevar, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet

Photo by: Sean Gardner / Getty Images

In the hours following Spire’s decision, Hocevar released a new statement on social media, addressing the influx of people coming to his defense.

“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? 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.  However, I love being in this garage, with this team surrounded by the best drivers and fans in the world.  See you in Pocono.

NASCAR is unlikely to to issue any penalties of their own as the team noted how they worked in “close consultation” with the sanctioning body before making this decision.