Spire Motorsports has taken disciplinary action against NASCAR Cup Series driver Carson Hocevar, fining him $50,000 for making derogatory remarks about Mexico City during a Twitch livestream.
While in Mexico for NASCAR’s inaugural Cup Series race at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Hocevar referred to the host city as a “s***hole” while discussing logistical challenges and his personal discomfort. Though he acknowledged there were enjoyable aspects to the experience, his comments sparked immediate backlash.
Following the race, Hocevar issued a public apology on social media, noting that the Mexico City event marked his first time outside the United States. In his post, he expressed regret for his words and acknowledged the inappropriateness of his remarks.
Spire Motorsports announced on Monday that, in addition to the financial penalty, Hocevar will be required to undergo cultural sensitivity and bias awareness training. The organization said the $50,000 fine will be donated to three nonprofits operating in Mexico: the Mexican Red Cross, United Way Mexico, and Un Kilo de Ayuda, a group focused on childhood nutrition and development in rural communities.
“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,” the team 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.”
The team also clarified that Hocevar’s comments do not reflect the views of Spire Motorsports, its partners, or NASCAR. While they acknowledged Hocevar’s prompt and public apology, they emphasized that his remarks fell short of the team’s standards. “Words carry weight,” the statement concluded, “and respect must be lived out loud.”
Hocevar, 22, finished 34th out of 37 cars in Sunday’s race. He has had a promising but sometimes controversial Cup Series debut season, with two top-five finishes through 16 races. His aggressive style has occasionally drawn criticism from fellow drivers, including Ricky Stenhouse Jr., who had a run-in with Hocevar during the Mexico City event — the latest in a string of on-track incidents involving the two.
