The Ricky Stenhouse Jr. spotter controversy after Mexico City remarks has ignited strong debate within the NASCAR community, after Tab Boyd was reportedly dismissed from Hyak Motorsports for negative comments about the city following last week’s race. The incident has drawn considerable attention from drivers, reporters, and fans regarding the appropriateness and response to Boyd’s social media statements.
Tab Boyd’s Comments and Immediate Fallout
Last week, Tab Boyd, spotter for Ricky Stenhouse Jr., shared his frustrations on social media, describing a negative experience in Mexico City during the NASCAR Cup Series event. Boyd’s post, which painted the city in a harsh light and described being scammed outside his hotel, quickly went viral and drew criticism due to its tone and content. According to NASCAR reporter Jeff Gluck, Boyd’s firing following the post has been widely discussed as potentially disproportionate.
“Saying the host city is a ‘shithole’ is poor form and you can understand why that drew a reaction. They could have fined Boyd or sat him for a week or something if they were that mad, but firing him? Doesn’t sit right,” Jeff Gluck wrote on X.
This decision by Hyak Motorsports comes in contrast to earlier disciplinary actions within NASCAR for similar conduct. Carson Hocevar, a driver for Spire Motorsports, issued a derogatory comment about Mexico City during a Twitch stream, which resulted in a $50,000 fine and mandatory sensitivity training, rather than termination.
The Context of Boyd’s Experience and Reactions
In his deleted post, Boyd recounted feeling unsafe after having his money taken outside his hotel within minutes of arrival. His statements reflected a broader frustration shared by several NASCAR teams and drivers, many of whom faced significant travel and logistical issues entering Mexico City. This event was especially significant as it marked the Cup Series’ first points-paying international race since 1958, amplifying public scrutiny of participants’ experiences and conduct.
“But Tab Boyd didn’t say anything racist or hateful. He apparently got scammed (don’t know the exact details) and was upset about it. I cringed when I saw his post, but didn’t think he’d get fired for it. Maybe not relevant here, but Tab Boyd also happens to be a really nice guy with a great family, so guess I just hate to see this in general,” read part of Gluck’s Tweet.
Boyd’s strong criticism of the city included his wish to leave immediately, citing his inability to even exit his hotel without trouble. The incident has highlighted the differences in how disciplinary actions are handled within teams and the broader league.
“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 five minutes. Good area my a**,” Tab Boyd wrote on X.
Changes for Ricky Stenhouse Jr.’s Team and Future Races
In the aftermath, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. revealed that Clayton Hughes, a veteran spotter, will replace Tab Boyd for the upcoming race at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. Boyd’s tenure as Stenhouse Jr.’s spotter began at the start of the 2023 season, and his abrupt dismissal reflects the volatility that can follow off-track incidents in today’s digital age.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. completed his outing at Mexico City’s Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in 27th place, slipping one position to 21st in the Cup Series standings. The Pocono Raceway event in Pennsylvania is set to begin at 2 pm ET on June 22.
This controversy has sparked ongoing debate about the limits of acceptable conduct, differences in disciplinary measures among teams, and the balance between personal experience and professional responsibility. As the NASCAR community continues to react, the episode underscores how quickly remarks—especially from public-facing roles such as spotters—can impact careers and reputations in the modern racing world.
