Not enjoying his trip south of the border, eh?
NASCAR is in Mexico City this weekend for the first points-paying international Cup Series race since way back in 1958 when they raced in Toronto.
There have already been some hiccups with traveling out the country after one of the planes NASCAR chartered for the teams suffered from a blown engine during takeoff and forced crew members to seek other travel arrangements, while another was grounded by Homeland Security in Charlotte due to paperwork issues.
But everybody eventually made it to Mexico City for this weekend’s race at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, and yesterday the Xfinity Series put on a great show as Mexico native Daniel Suarez claimed a victory in front of his home crowd.
It seems like things are going pretty well so far, with several NASCAR reporters sharing their experiences on social media and enjoying the trip.
But I guess not EVERYBODY is having a good time…
Last night, Cup Series spotter Tab Boyd, who spots for Ricky Stenhouse Jr.’s #47 Hyak Motorsports Chevrolet, took to social media to give his thoughts on Mexico City and…well, it’s safe to say he’s not having a good time:
“I’m ready to go home, screw this place, people can talk it up all they want….. can’t even walk out the front door of the hotel without getting hustled and money snatched….in less than 5 minutes. Good area my a**…”
Now, his comments come after former spotter and co-host of the Door Bumper Clear podcast Brett Griffin was heavily criticized for his comments on Mexico City a while back, expressing his own concerns about safety for the teams and drivers. Griffin wasn’t a fan when he went to Mexico City for an Xfinity Series race a few years ago, while some fans jumped on his comments as racist and said he was just scared to be in a different country.
And now, Boyd is facing the same criticism over his tweet:
“Spotter can’t see a pickpocket… Not sure I’d want him clearing my bumper.”
“This sh-t is such a lie, F1 has been going here for years and I haven’t seen anything with issues like this. But now since Nascar is, now it’s unsafe?”
“another new market race, another spotter being racist, cool”
“This is what happens when you don’t leave the country, you won’t learn how to haggle and end up being a fool in front of the whole internet.”
“Nascar and not being a racist doesn’t go along at all man. The worst form of motorsport. I follow like 18 motorsport series there’s not a single group worse than this shit”
“This guy with the fake propaganda. why tho”
“Well good riddance, you guys only focus on the worst parts and also don’t pay attention”
Overall, it seems that NASCAR has done a good job with security for the race, and teams even had an armed escort to the track after crossing the border.
But of course traveling to another country always comes with different issues than a race in Charlotte or Nashville. It’s no different than going on vacation in Mexico or wherever and having to deal with street hustlers and pickpockets. (And to be fair, I used to live in New Orleans and it’s the same way on Bourbon Street here in the United States…)
Overall it seems like most of the people in Mexico City are having a good time, despite the cultural differences.
And I can’t imagine the celebration in that city if Suarez ends up winning again today…
