NASCAR driver Carson Hocevar has issued an apology after making insulting comments.
The American racer landed himself in hot water over remarks he made before his debut at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez – best known for hosting Formula One – in Mexico City, Mexico.
Carson Hocevar has apologised after he made insulting comments about a track and country[/caption]
He had branded Mexico City’s Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez a ‘s***hole’ before ever racing there[/caption]
He has been slapped with a $50,000 fine and will undergo mandatory cultural-sensitivity and bias-awareness training[/caption]
The Spire Motorsports star was on a live Twitch stream in the days before the race when he insulted both the track and the country.
When asked for his thoughts on the race, the 22-year-old had said: “If the travel was better, if getting here was easier, if you felt safer getting to and from everywhere, if it wasn’t such a s**thole, if the track limits were a little better enforced, if it was going to be a little bit better of a race, and it wasn’t so easy to, or feel so locked down like you can’t leave anywhere, it’d be a great experience.”
This came before Hocevar finished 34th out of 37 drivers at the Nascar Cup Series event.
The Michigan native was subsequently slapped with a $50,000 fine and put down for mandatory cultural-sensitivity and bias-awareness training.
Hocevar made a grovelling apology on social media on Sunday, saying he was “embarrassed” by what he said and would use his punishment as a lesson to not believe “everything you hear without seeing it yourself”.
He wrote: “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 anyway.
“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.”
Backlash to his apology saw him later apologise a second time.
Hocevar added: “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.”
His team also did not downplay the severity of his initial insults.
They said in a statement: “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.”
The fine will be paid to the Mexican Red Cross, the Mexican United Way, and Un Kilo de Ayuda – a nonprofit combating childhood malnutrition and supporting early-childhood development.
Hocevar is ranked 20th in the championship standings, with his best results being runner-up spots in Atlanta and Nashville.
He made his Nascar debut in 2023 and is yet to win a race.
Hocevar finished 34th out of 37 runners at the track, best known for hosting the F1 Grand Prix[/caption]
Hocevar’s best results this season have been two runner-up spots[/caption]
