NASCAR drivers spent the weekend in Mexico City for the first points-paying race inside Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. The highly anticipated road course looked more like a slip-and-slide as wet conditions sent many cars spinning out at the start of the 100-lap race. While most drivers looked to make it out without too much damage, Spire Motorsports No. 77 Carson Hocevar and Hyak Motorsports No. 47 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. were at the center of more race drama.
The NASCAR community has been anticipating the race in Mexico since the season was announced. Most motorsports fans will recognize the track as the same one used during Formula One races in the city. The sight of stock car racing was enough to get fans excited, but then rain added more problems as drivers started the race. The first crash happened just seven laps in, after Kyle Busch lost control in turn one, causing a pileup with Kyle Larson, Zane Smith, Justin Haley, AJ Allmendinger, and Chase Briscoe.
The crash involving Busch was not the only accident seen on that track, merely just the first. The rain started letting up during Stage Two, allowing for more intense racing. Ryan Preece claimed Stage One, but a late-stage pit stop from Ty Gibbs allowed Shane van Gisbergen to take the next one. SVG went on to win the race in his second career Cup Series victory. A late-stage caution between Hocevar and Stenhouse is taking some of the spotlight away from that win.
Hocevar started seeing problems in Mexico City early, like many other drivers. Multiple small crashes and spin-outs pushed the young driver back, leaving him a lap down as the race came to an end. He was trying to stay in the race in hopes of a late-stage caution, but says he miscalculated a turn on Lap 90. Stenhouse was in 23rd place when Hocevar entered the turn a little too hot, getting into the back of the 47. Stenhouse spun out and lost four spots by the time the race ended.
Stenhouse and Hocevar haven’t been on the best of terms since the race in Nashville just a few weeks ago. During that race, Hocevar refused to move down lower on the track to allow Stenhouse to change positions. This led to contact between the two drivers, and Stenhouse was forced out of the race because of damage to his car. He voiced his aggravation toward Hocevar, but reportedly spoke with the driver before their next race in Michigan. That’s when he said that he was ready to put their dust-up behind them.
That sportsmanlike spirit didn’t stick around for long. After the race, Stenhouse walked to Hocevar’s car while he was sitting on pit road. He could be seen leaning his body into the car, where he reportedly told Hocevar that he would beat him up after they returned to the U.S. Hocevar says he tried to explain what happened, going as far as to call his day in Mexico City sloopy, but that Stenhouse wasn’t willing to listen.
While Stenhouse fans aren’t calling Hocevar their favorite driver, some big names in the sport are showing their support. Cup Series champion Kurt Busch commented on Hocevar and his recent run-ins with Stenhouse, comparing the 22-year-old driver to himself. When he was racing, Busch was known for his aggressive style. He wasn’t afraid to dump drivers out of his way to earn positions, and was never apologetic about it. He commented on Hocevar’s latest run-ins in Nashville and Mexico City, saying that racing veterans didn’t like him when he started. The former fan-favorite says that he sees a bright future for the young driver.
It doesn’t seem like Stenhouse and Hocevar are ever going to be friends, and that’s just fine. Motorsports is all about pushing the limits of the team and of the competitors. The high tensions and the strong language are what make NASCAR more enjoyable than some other sports. At the end of the day, if Stenhouse doesn’t want to get moved out of the way or spun out, maybe he should just get out of NASCAR.
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