Spire Motorsports Penalizes Carson Hocevar Following Controversial Comments
Mexico City, Mexico — Carson Hocevar, driver for Spire Motorsports, has been fined $50,000 and mandated to undergo cultural sensitivity and bias-awareness training after making derogatory remarks about Mexico during a live Twitch stream. This incident occurred during the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series event held in Mexico City, which was overall well-received by participants.
While live-streaming, the 22-year-old referred to Mexico as a "s***hole," prompting backlash from both fans and stakeholders. Despite swiftly issuing an apology, Spire Motorsports opted to conduct an internal review and ultimately enforced penalties against their driver.
The fine will be allocated to three Mexican charities, including Cruz Roja Mexicana, Un Kilo de Ayuda, and Fondo Unido México—organizations focused on health, education, and nutrition in underserved communities.
In a statement, Spire Motorsports emphasized their commitment to respect, stating, "Carson Hocevar’s recent comments fell short of that standard… He has acknowledged his mistake publicly, demonstrating personal accountability." The team confirmed that NASCAR has approved the penalties imposed.
Hocevar, reflecting on the situation prior to the penalties announcement, stated, "I am embarrassed by my comments… I may have to move here to hide out from Ricky [Stenhouse]." He admitted to having preconceived notions about Mexico prior to the race and expressed regret for not forming his own opinions through experience.
As of this report, NASCAR is not expected to impose additional penalties, having collaborated with Spire Motorsports during their review process.
The 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year continues to navigate challenges both on and off the track as he learns from this incident.
