NASCAR Cup Series driver Carson Hocevar has revealed what prompted him to make a controversial comment about Mexico City on a live stream that led his team, Spire Motorsports, to hand him a $50,000 fine. This comes after Newsweek Sports reported his statement on X, where he shared his regret for his comment.

Hocevar came under fire after the race at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez after he called Mexico City a “s**t hole” on a Twitch live stream. Following the action taken by his team, Hocevar has revealed that the comment did not reflect his own opinion but was reflective of what he had heard.

Acknowledging his mistake of not having done his homework, the 22-year-old driver spoke to Cup Scene during the pre-race presser at Pocono Raceway. He said:

“The issue wasn’t for the team having their kind of frustrations, not that I’m giving my opinion and putting it out there. It’s just the fact that, you know, my opinion wasn’t my opinion. It was just based off everybody else, you know, that I’ve heard or seen, right? I didn’t go do my own homework and voice my own opinion.

“I didn’t give it a shot, you know? I didn’t give it a chance – I didn’t go walk around, I didn’t go see. And when I did, you know, hindsight’s 20/20. Then I had my own opinion, but I had already put it out there.

“I think that was the biggest thing. I wasn’t doing what I pride myself on—having my own opinion, putting it out there, and being me. I just didn’t give it a fair shot. That’s where it all stems from.”

Newsweek Sports reported a statement posted by Spire Motorsports on X, announcing the action against Hocevar for his comment. It stated:

“After a thorough internal review of Carson Hocevar’s recent livestream remarks about Mexico City, and in close consultation with NASCAR, Spire Motorsports is issuing the following disciplinary measures:

“A $50,000 fine, which will be donated in equal portions to three organizations that serve Mexican communities:
– Cruz Roja Mexicana (Mexican Red Cross) – providing humanitarian and medical relief across Mexico.
– Un Kilo de Ayuda – a nonprofit combating childhood malnutrition and supporting early-childhood development in rural communities.
– Fondo Unido México (United Way Mexico) – funding local NGOs that improve education, health, and housing in 22 Mexican states.

“Mandatory cultural-sensitivity and bias-awareness training to be completed by Carson Hocevar.

“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. They did not represent the views of Spire Motorsports, our partners, or NASCAR. He has acknowledged his mistake publicly, and his prompt, sincere apology demonstrated personal accountability. We now take this additional step to underscore that words carry weight, and respect must be lived out loud.

“Spire Motorsports has informed NASCAR of these penalties, and NASCAR has confirmed that our team-imposed discipline satisfies the sanctioning body’s requirements. Together we remain committed to showcasing NASCAR’s global growth, celebrating the passionate Mexican fanbase we experienced firsthand last weekend, and ensuring every member of our organization treats hosts, competitors, and communities with dignity.

“We look forward to turning the page by racing hard, representing our partners, and living our values on and off the track.”

NASCAR’s first international race in decades proved to be a dominant afternoon for Trackhouse Racing’s Shane van Gisbergen.

Six-time MotoGP world champ beat brother Alex and Fabio Di Giannantonio to sweep podium for local manufacturer Ducati.

Ducati’s Marc Marquez won the Italian Grand Prix after a dogfight for podium places at the Mugello Circuit, taking the chequered flag ahead of his brother Alex to maintain his iron grip on the MotoGP riders’ championship.

Gresini Racing’s Alex Marquez briefly led the race early on Sunday before Marc took control, while Fabio Di Giannantonio of VR46 Racing claimed third place after snatching the final podium spot from his Italian compatriot Francesco Bagnaia.

Home favourite Bagnaia also led the race in the initial stages, but the factory Ducati rider, who had won the last three races at Mugello, was overshadowed by the Marquez brothers and could only finish fourth in front of his home fans.

Marc Marquez’s victory was also the 93rd win of his career across all classes, matching his motorcycle number, and the Spaniard celebrated by planting a Ducati flag in front of the home fans who once saw him as a rival when he was with Honda.

“Amazing feeling … three Ducatis on the podium, to win here [at Mugello] in the red,” said Marc, who now leads Alex by 40 points while Bagnaia is 110 points back in third.

“I already understood this morning that was super special for them, even for me, because I feel part of them. Super happy.

“We managed the race … I was calm and then when the tyres dropped a bit, I started to give everything. Happy to take the 37 points in this amazing weekend.”

Fresh from claiming his historic 100th career pole with a blistering lap record and Saturday’s unlikely sprint victory, Marc found himself locked in a fraternal battle with Alex – a running theme this season.

The opening laps unfolded as a masterclass in close-quarter racing between the two factory Ducati machines – their special Italian Renaissance livery flashing through Mugello’s sweeping turns – while Alex stayed on their tails.

Bagnaia denied victory at home race

The crowd erupted when Bagnaia briefly snatched the lead from Marc after turn one, but what followed was high-speed drama as they traded positions, occasionally making heart-stopping contact with each other.

Disaster nearly struck when Bagnaia, pushing his bike to the limit, touched Marc’s rear tyre as he was forced to brake hard and surrender his position to Alex.

Fans in the grandstand witnessed a spectacular moment when all three riders thundered into turn one abreast, a three-wide gamble that saw Alex briefly seize control, drop to third on the brakes and then reclaim the lead moments later on the exit.

But Marc eventually broke free, leaving brother Alex to doggedly defend second position against a relentless Bagnaia.

However, the Italian did not have the late-race pace to catch up, and he was soon forced to defend the final podium place, with Di Giannantonio looking to upstage his compatriot.

With two laps to go, Di Giannantonio made his move on turn seven as he squeezed past the two-time champion and raced away to claim his first podium finish at Mugello.

“I knew that I had to risk a lot to take him, but at the end, the last lap, I said, ‘OK, let’s go for it,’ and we’ve done it,” Di Giannantonio said.

“My first podium in MotoGP Mugello, in front of this fantastic group of fans.”

LONG POND, Pa. (AP) — Carson Hocevar walked around Pocono Raceway without a scratch on his face. His polo shirt looked more tailored than tattered and the Spire Motorsports driver was ready to race rather than rumble.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. hadn’t socked Hocevar with a right hook quite yet — hot on the heels of Stenhouse’s threat to beat up his racing rival after last weekend’s race in Mexico City — leaving the next shot at any potential retaliation inside or outside the cars set for Sunday’s NASCAR race.

Hocevar should walk with his head on a swivel because Stenhouse can throw a right hook.

Just ask Kyle Busch, who suffered a crushing TKO loss when he clashed with Stenhouse after last year’s All-Star race.

Get ready! The Pounding at Pocono could be just another round in the ongoing feud between Stenhouse and Hocevar.

“He probably will be looking over his shoulder for a long time,” Stenhouse said Saturday at Pocono. “We’ll see how that goes.”

Hocevar has to look over his shoulder — and for that charging Chevrolet in his rearview mirror.

“The scorecard has it that I I’m getting something from the 47 at some point, right? And I think my team and everybody kind of knows that,” Hocevar said.

Their beef has little chance of getting squashed any time soon, a dispute that started three races ago when Hocevar wrecked Stenhouse early at Nashville. Hocevar sent Stenhouse spinning last week in Mexico City, which ignited the postrace melee on pit road.

Stenhouse seemed to grab at Hocevar as he spoke to him, then slapped at his helmet as Stenhouse walked away.

Hocevar’s in-car camera captured audio of the confrontation.

“I’m going to beat your (behind),” Stenhouse threatened. “You’re a lap down, you’ve got nothing to do. Why you run right into me? It’s the second time. I’m going to beat your (behind) when we get back to the States.”

Hocevar avoided a smackdown from Stenhouse but his Spire team hit him where it hurts — a $50,000 fine on Tuesday for derogatory comments he made about Mexico City on a livestream as NASCAR raced there last weekend.

At just 23 and in his second full Cup season, Hocevar has whipped himself into a flurry of unwanted attention, continuing a trend that started last year when even veteran Denny Hamlin chimed in and said NASCAR had “ to do something to Carson.”

Stenhouse might do it on behalf of the sanctioning body with his fist or even his No. 47 Chevrolet.

Hocevar conceded, yes, payback may be imminent and the time to talk out their lingering issues is over.

Yet, Hocevar pleaded: “It’s not an open hunting season on the 77 because of these incidents.”

Hocevar stamped his own target on his back. With his aggressive racing. With his ignorant words.

“Just because I do something in the heat of the moment or maybe, you know, you do it two or three times, doesn’t mean I’m not hard on myself for those mistakes because they are mistakes,” he said. “It’s just trying not to make that a pattern. But when you’re constantly making aggressive moves like we’re doing, it’s balancing that fine line of, you know, you make a thousand moves a day. Just unfortunately, what people remember isn’t always the good ones. You always remember the negative ones.”

Case in point, Hocevar walked back his derisive comments about Mexico after he actually experienced the culture of the country following NASCAR’s foray into a new Cup Series market.

“I didn’t give it a shot. I didn’t give it a chance,” Hocevar said. “I didn’t go walk around. I didn’t go see it. When I did, you know, then hindsight’s 20/20, then I have my own opinion. But I’ve already put it out there.”

Spire also ordered Hocevar to attend cultural-sensitivity and bias-awareness training.

He can be thankful he gets a shot at another race. Stenhouse’s spotter, Tab Boyd, was fired this week by HYAK Motorsports in the wake of an unflattering social media post about his experience in Mexico.

“That’s above my paygrade,” Stenhouse said.

The biggest KO so far came in the standings, where Stenhouse has been flattened in just three weeks from 13th in points in the thick of playoff contention before Nashville to 21st entering Pocono. Hocevar is one point ahead of Stenhouse in the standings.

“That’s the thing that hurts worse for our team is just where it’s put us,” Stenhouse said.

Stenhouse’s trash talk more worthy of UFC hype could put him in hot water should he actually deliver on his vowed retribution and take out Hocevar.

If it comes to a point where NASCAR dishes out a monetary punishment, it’s OK, the 2023 Daytona 500 champion could afford his fine. He just sold his North Carolina estate for $12.2 million, the highest-priced residential sale ever recorded in the greater Charlotte metro area.

“It’s been a big week. We’ve had a lot going on,” Stenhouse said, laughing.

He’d rather talk real estate than about the space and time wasted thinking about Hocevar.

“I’m just honestly tired of talking about the kid,” Stenhouse said.

Tired of the talk? Sure. Of the action? Not just yet.

“Eventually it’ll all come together at some point,” Stenhouse said. “I’m not sure when or how. But it will.”

___

AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing

Dan Gelston, The Associated Press

Chase Elliott is still waiting for his first Cup Series win of the season, but the NASCAR star claimed $2,000 after earning pole for the Xfinity Series race at Pocono Raceway.

Elliott is making an extra appearance for Hendrick Motorsports by competing in both the Xfinity and Cup races, after finishing third at Mexico City last week. Elliott is currently fourth in the Cup Series standings and well-placed ahead of the NASCAR Playoffs despite feeling pressured to claim a race win.

The 2020 champion has a strong chance to make a statement in the Xfinity Series in his second involvement of the season. Victory could boost Elliott’s chances ahead of Sunday’s race after he admitted that being consistent is no longer good enough.

Elliott has finished inside the top 20 in each of the opening 16 races of 2025, with four finishes inside the top 5 and eight inside the top 10. Elliott has led for just 95 laps this season and is now battling a 43-race winless streak, but he’s eager to change that starting at Pocono this weekend.

“The consistency, it’s good, but this deal really rewards winning,” Elliott said. “It’s not where I want to be, no doubt. I think that for us, there’s been some high spots.

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“And to be honest, there’s been weeks where we’ve run well or maybe had a good finish — or even there’s been a couple weeks where we haven’t necessarily had a good finish — and I can go home and be like, ‘Man, we were in the mix. We had good pace today.’

“And those are the weeks that (you want). You want to just feel like you’re in the ball game as it pertains to pace and doing the right things and getting up in there and giving yourself a shot. Those days, I can go home and have something to be proud of.

“It’s the days and weekends where we’re just not even relevant that I think are really the most frustrating to me. And we’ve had more of those than I want to have and that we want to have as a team.

“So I think it’s been good. It’s not satisfactory to myself or to our team, but there’s still a lot of racing left in the season.” Elliott is delighted with the efforts of his team this season, even if the collective hasn’t been rewarded with a win so far.

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“I think our team has done a really good job taking some of those days where we were not having a good day and digging in, and finding a way to just get something halfway decent out of it,” Elliott added. “Sometimes that can be a really hard thing to do, and I am really proud of them for that.

“Because it’s easy to throw in the towel on those days, just lose it and be done and go try again next week. But we as a whole, we don’t know any better and we just keep trying, keep pushing, and make the most out of whatever the day has brought us.”

Elliott’s last win came on April 14, 2024, at Texas Motor Speedway, and he has 19 victories through his Cup Series career. Elliott also came second in his only other Xfinity Series race this year, as Brandon Jones beat him to the line at Darlington.