Spire Motorsports on Tuesday issued a $50,000 fine to sophomore driver Carson Hocevar. Hocevar, 22, made controversial comments about the Nascar Cup Series’ debut race in Mexico City before flying down to Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.

“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 sh*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,” Hocevar said during a Twitch livestream while he was competing in iRacing.

Hocevar, who’s taken Nascar by storm this year while competing for wins, apologized for his comments prior to the penalty. His comments have not warranted a penalty from Nascar itself.

“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,” he tweeted on Monday.

“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.”

Hocevar’s fine will be donated equally to three Mexican nonprofits, including Cruz Roja Mexicana (Mexican Red Cross), Un Kilo de Ayuda, and Fondo Unido México (United Way Mexico).

It is rare for a Nascar team itself to fine a driver, rather than the sanctioning body itself. Hocevar will also complete a mandatory cultural-sensitivity and bias-awareness training.

But Hocevar genuinely apologized – for the second time – after the team issued its public fine.

Hocevar said: “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.”

Hocevar is known on track for his aggressive driving style, unafraid to irritate his competitors. His tactics have gotten him in trouble as of late, including multiple altercations with Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

Hocevar has led 70 laps this year and has a pair of runner-up finishes at Atlanta and Nasvhille. At Charlotte, in Nascar’s longest race, he was in contention to win until an engine failure.

After 16 races, Hocevar is 20th in the standings and is in contention to be the first Spire Motorsports driver to compete in the playoffs.

Joe Gibbs Racing announced a multiyear agreement Wednesday with Bob’s Discount Furniture, under which the company will serve as Denny Hamlin’s primary sponsor for select events.

Bob’s Discount Furniture will be on the No. 11 Toyota for the first time at Iowa Speedway (Aug. 3). The full slate of races for which it will serve as the primary sponsor was not announced. This is the company’s first presence in motorsports sponsorship.

“We are thrilled to partner with Bob’s Discount Furniture,” said team owner Joe Gibbs. “Racing every weekend all across the country, we will have the opportunity to promote their great furniture at everyday low prices to race fans everywhere. We are especially excited to have the opportunity to celebrate their expansion into North Carolina at the grand opening event at their new Winston-Salem store on July 17th.”

Hamlin and Gibbs will be present on Thursday for the grand opening of Bob’s Discount Furniture in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where they will unveil the car’s livery. In addition to live entertainment and giveaways, Hamlin will participate in an autograph session for those in attendance.

“Partnering with Joe Gibbs Racing is a natural fit for Bob’s,” said Bill Barton, President and CEO of Bob’s Discount Furniture. “We’re both committed to excellence, delivering value, and engaging with communities in meaningful ways. Debuting the Bob’s-branded No. 11 car at Bob’s Grand Opening in Winston-Salem, a region with deep NASCAR heritage and our newest store location, makes this moment even more special.”

Joe Gibbs Racing has signed multiple new partners for Hamlin’s team this season. Bob’s Discount Furniture joins Progressive Insurance, National Debt Relief, King’s Hawaiian, and ampm.

Dubbin Motorsports is making a strategic shift in its racing schedule, opting to compete in back-to-back weekends at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio. The team has added the 19th Annual University Hospitals Cavalcade of Stars – NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event to its calendar this coming weekend, followed by the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals on June 26-29.

The decision comes as team owner Dean Dubbin prepares for shoulder surgery, which forced the team to withdraw from the Seattle national event. Instead, Dubbin Motorsports saw an opportunity to maximize its points position by competing in Norwalk twice.

“We aren’t going to Seattle since Dean will be having his surgery then,” said Kirk Wolf, the team’s lead driver. “Instead, we decided to add Norwalk. It is a back-to-back event – and who wouldn’t want to spend two weekends at one of the best tracks in the U.S.?”

Team Owner Dean Dubbin echoed the team’s enthusiasm for the change. “After scheduling my shoulder surgery, we looked at the calendar, and the Norwalk Regional was a perfect fit to get another points race to replace Seattle. It’s not a National event, but we needed more regional points if Kirk is going to make an impact in the National Points standings. It is a great place to race—you would be hard-pressed to find a better-run racetrack than Norwalk. Bill Bader always puts on a great race, and we sure enjoy racing there. And after all, the ice cream there is amazing!”

Summit Motorsports Park is renowned not only for its high-speed action on the track but also for its Velvet Ice Cream, a tradition enjoyed by racers and fans alike.

The Cavalcade of Stars event is expected to attract at least 12 of the nation’s top-rated Top Alcohol Dragster teams, while up to 20 teams are slated to compete at the Summit Racing Equipment Nationals the following weekend.

Dubbin Motorsports has a strong history at Norwalk. In 2023, the DMP Awnings – Kentex Roofing backed team delivered a near-flawless performance at the Summit Racing Equipment Nationals, securing its first NHRA National Event victory in Top Alcohol Dragster.

With early-season struggles behind them, Norwalk may be the perfect venue for Dubbin Motorsports to regain momentum. The injected nitro tune-up of Clay and Chase Copeland, the team’s lead tuners, is well-suited for the track’s conditions.

As the team prepares for two consecutive weekends of racing, all eyes will be on Dubbin Motorsports and Kirk Wolf to see if they can replicate their past success and make a strong push in the NHRA national points chase.

This story was originally published on June 18, 2025.

NASCAR and officials in the San Diego area are working toward an agreement to return the Cup Series to Southern California, The Athletic reported Wednesday.

According to the report, the two sides are finalizing details on a street-course race to be held in the area. An announcement is tentatively expected in July.

Both NASCAR and Sports San Diego, the area’s sports tourism arm, declined to make a statement to The Athletic.

NASCAR has not held a non-exhibition race in Southern California since 2023 when the speedway in Fontana closed.

A street race in San Diego could offer a chance to drive with the Pacific Ocean in the backdrop, although The Athletic reported an exact location for the race has not been finalized.

NASCAR already has gotten off the oval, with a street race held in downtown Chicago since 2023. The Grant Park 165, as it is called on the 2025 schedule, will be run in Chicago on July 6.

–Field Level Media

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. — As it makes its way into the South, Top 100 retailer Bob’s Discount Furniture is also coming to the NASCAR Cup Series.

The Manchester, Conn.-based retailer, which is in the process of opening its first stores in North Carolina, has signed a multi-year agreement with Joe Gibbs Racing to sponsor Denny Hamlin‘s No. 11 Toyota Camry XSE. Their first race will be at Iowa Speedway on Aug. 3.

“Partnering with Joe Gibbs Racing is a natural fit for Bob’s,” said Bill Barton, president and CEO of Bob’s Discount Furniture. “We’re both committed to excellence, delivering value, and engaging with communities in meaningful ways. Debuting the Bob’s-branded No. 11 car at Bob’s Grand Opening in Winston-Salem, a region with deep NASCAR heritage and our newest store location, makes this moment even more special.”

See also:

As part of the collaboration, Bob’s Discount Furniture will serve as the Official Furniture Retailer of Hamlin & the No. 11 Cup Series Team with multiple primary sponsor races and full-season associate partner placement on the No. 11 Toyota over the course of the partnership. The partnership will kick off immediately with plans to integrate cross-promotional events, community outreach initiatives and in-store experiences that bring the energy of racing directly to Bob’s customers.

Hamlin and JGR owner Joe Gibbs are scheduled to attend the grand opening of the Bob’s Discount Furniture location in Winston-Salem, N.C., on Thursday, July 17, at 1 p.m. ET. The event will feature a VIP autograph session with Hamlin, giveaways, live entertainment, and a chance for fans to be the first to see the No. 11 Bob’s Discount Furniture Toyota Camry XSE that Hamlin will race at Iowa Speedway.

“We are thrilled to partner with Bob’s Discount Furniture,” said Gibbs. “Racing every weekend all across the country, we will have the opportunity to promote their great furniture at everyday low prices to race fans everywhere. We are especially excited to have the opportunity to celebrate their expansion into North Carolina at the grand opening event at their new Winston-Salem store on July 17.”

The partnership, Bob’s first foray into motorsports sponsorship, underscores the retailer’s ongoing commitment to expanding its footprint in the Southeast while creating fun and memorable experiences for its customers. The company currently operates nearly 200 stores across 26 states with 20 new locations set to open in 2025 including six locations in North Carolina.

Hamlin is competing in his 20th full-time season in the NASCAR Cup Series. He is 12th on the all-time wins list with 57 victories, including three wins so far this year. His Cup Series career has included monumental moments like his trio of Daytona 500 victories (2016, 2019, 2020), three Southern 500 wins (2010, 2017, 2021), and a Coca-Cola 600 triumph in 2022. Through 16 races this season, Hamlin sits fifth in the Cup Series standings despite missing last Sunday’s race in Mexico City because of the birth of his third child.

“We’re excited to welcome Bob’s to our No. 11 team and to have their new locations opening up close to home,” said Hamlin. “If you look at their marketing and social media, they do a great job being creative, so we’re really looking forward to what kind of ideas we can work on together both on and off the racetrack.”

CONCORD, N.C. – A return to the United States and to the friendly confines of Pocono Raceway brings a comfort level and a familiarity to NASCAR Cup Series teams. 

Some of that will be seen on the paint schemes of Hendrick Motorsports’ four entries this weekend as well. 

Kyle Larson returns to his primary, No. 5 HendrickCars.com livery while Chase Elliott, fresh off his best finish of the season in a third-place run in Mexico City last Sunday, will also be back in his primary scheme in the No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet. 

Alex Bowman, who finished just one position behind Elliott, will drive the Best Friends version of his No. 48 Ally Chevy. He and Elliott each have a win at the 2.5-mile Pennsylvania tri-oval. 

Finally, William Byron will bring the blue-clad No. 24 Valvoline scheme he used in a ninth-place run last week, with him to the Pocono Mountains. 

Here’s a look how each of the four cars will look when they hit the track this weekend: