Carson Hocevar, a Spire Motorsports driver, stirred controversy last week when he called the Cup Series race at Mexico City’s Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez a “sh*thole” during a Twitch livestream. Despite facing a $50,000 fine and mandatory cultural-sensitivity training for his remarks, former NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace recently expressed that the comments were not as serious as they were made out to be. The incident adds tension ahead of Hocevar’s next race, The Great American Getaway 400, scheduled for June 22 at Pocono Raceway.
Background on Hocevar’s Remarks and Penalty
The Viva Mexico 250 was the first NASCAR Cup Series race held outside the United States since 1958, and it marked Carson Hocevar’s first time competing internationally. Hocevar’s critical comments were reportedly influenced by negative perceptions he had heard about Mexico City prior to the event. For his language, Hocevar was fined $50,000, with the funds set to be donated to three Mexican non-profit organizations: Cruz Roja Mexicana, Un Kilo de Ayuda, and Fondo Unido México. Additionally, he was required to complete cultural-sensitivity and bias-awareness training as part of his penalty.
Kenny Wallace’s Perspective on the Controversy
In one of his recent YouTube videos, Kenny Wallace, a former NASCAR driver, weighed in on Hocevar’s remarks, downplaying their significance. Wallace stated,
“Carson Hocevar got in trouble for saying (a) little something about Mexico City. Now I just didn’t think it was that big of a deal. I’m sorry. I did not think it was that big of a deal. However, his team Spire, they’re cutting everybody off at the pass (4:00 onwards).” —Kenny Wallace, former NASCAR driver
Tensions Rise from On-Track Incident with Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Compounding the controversy, Hocevar and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. became embroiled in a heated spat during the final stage of the Mexico City race. Hocevar’s car caused a wreck that involved Stenhouse, prompting the latter to approach Hocevar’s vehicle and threaten retaliation once they returned to the United States.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Comments on the Hocevar-Stenhouse Conflict
NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. recently shared his thoughts on the escalating hostilities between the two drivers. Expressing his discomfort with the situation, Earnhardt Jr. remarked,
“This has been really hard to watch, honestly, because Ricky Stenhouse was 20 points above the cut line going into Nashville. That team does not belong in the playoff conversation, but they were overachieving incredibly.” —Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Hall of Famer
“A compliment to them, backhanded, I suppose, but also a compliment to Ricky for just doing what he could do to be able to get them the best opportunity every single week,” Dale Jr. added. —Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Hall of Famer
Upcoming Race and Championship Standings
Despite the off-track issues, Carson Hocevar will compete this Sunday at the Pocono Raceway Tricky Triangle in The Great American Getaway 400. The 160-lap event will air live on Amazon Prime Video, with radio coverage available on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio starting at 2 p.m. ET. Following the Mexico City race, Hocevar currently holds 312 points, placing 20th in the championship standings, just one position ahead of Stenhouse, who sits 21st with 312 points as well. This budding rivalry is expected to draw significant attention at Pocono.
