On June 17, during a livestream ahead of NASCAR‘s historic race in Mexico City-its first Cup Series points event outside the U.S. since 1958, 22 yea rold rising star Carson Hocevar sparked backlash by referring to the host city as a “s***hole” and questioning its safety.
The comment quickly went viral, prompting swift organizational and personal responses.
Hocevar later acknowledged the mistake, stating on X (formerly Twitter): “Maybe a kid that had never been out of the country until Thursday should never give an opinion about what any place is like other than Portage, Michigan.”
He went on to explain that his initial skepticism stemmed from second-hand accounts, not experience: “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 noted that after spending time in Mexico City-leaving his hotel, engaging with passionate fans, and competing on the track-he felt remorse: “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…”
The young driver then pledged to become an ally for the city: “Consider me an ally going forward and an example of getting off Twitch and seeing things with my own two eyes.”
Team enforces consequences and sensitivity training
Spire Motorsports, Hocevar‘s team, responded decisively by imposing a $50,000 fine-funds earmarked for the Mexican Red Cross, United Way Mexico, and Un Kilo de Ayuda.
Additionally, they mandated cultural sensitivity and bias-awareness training for the driver.
In a formal statement, the team emphasized that respect is a fundamental value: “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.”
They clarified that Hocevar‘s language did not reflect the views of Spire, their partners, or NASCAR. The team praised Hocevar‘s quick admission of error and said this corrective action serves to underscore that public figures must wield influence with care and cultural sensitivity.
The broader context and ramifications
Hocevar‘s misstep highlights the sensitivity professional athletes face in today’s globalized sports environment.
As NASCAR expands its international presence, notably through events in Mexico City, athletes are expected to adapt to new cultures and show cultural awareness without relying on preconceived biases.
For Hocevar-a 2024 Rookie of the Year finalist-the incident stands as a learning curve in fame’s price tag. It underscores a lesson many rookie athletes learn the hard way: one casual comment can spark international backlash.
Mexico City race attendees and fans on social media have pushed back against Hocevar‘s initial words, emphasizing the warmth and enthusiasm they brought to the event. The public apology and commitment to learning may now be more important than the original comment, serving as a turning point in Hocevar’s career.
This news was originally published on this post .
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