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Hocevar walked back the comments Sunday night
with an apology and the 22-year-old admitted it was the first
time he'd ever been outside the United States and believed all
the negative things he'd read and heard about Mexico City.
“I am embarrassed by my comments," he posted in a lengthy
apology.
Spire also ordered Hocevar to attend cultural-sensitivity and
bias-awareness training.
Spire said the $50,000 fine will be donated in equal portions to
three organizations that serve Mexican communities:
— Cruz Roja Mexicana (Mexican Red Cross).
— Un Kilo de Ayuda, a nonprofit combating childhood malnutrition
and supporting early-childhood development in rural communities.
— Fondo Unido México (United Way Mexico), which funds local NGOs
that improve education, health, and housing in 22 Mexican
states.
“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,” the
team said in a statement. “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 said it informed NASCAR of Hocevar's penalties and that it
satisfied 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,” Spire said.
“We look forward to turning the page by racing hard,
representing our partners, and living our values on and off the
track.”
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