NASCAR driver Corey LaJoie shared his thoughts following a rare and troubling crash involving a safety car during the NASCAR Mexico Series season finale on Sunday, November 9. The event took place at the Miguel E. Abed Racetrack in Amozoc, Puebla, drawing attention due to safety concerns, making LaJoie’s NASCAR reaction widely discussed.
The incident occurred after Santiago Tovar, driving the No. 22 Quaker State Ford, collided with a tire barrier during the 14th race of the season. As Tovar’s car lay lodged in the tires, a silver SUV designated as the safety vehicle unexpectedly accelerated and struck the front right side of Tovar’s already damaged car. The sequence, caught on video from the grandstands, displayed the safety car worsening the crash under caution conditions.
Miraculously, both Tovar and a safety worker involved in the situation emerged from their wrecked vehicles without serious injuries. Corey LaJoie, who raced part-time for Spire Motorsports in the NASCAR Truck Series earlier in the season, commented on the shocking safety car incident, stating:
“Made sure to finish him off.”
— Corey LaJoie, NASCAR Driver
The crash overshadowed an already chaotic Championship 4 battle, where title contenders became embroiled in multiple accidents and on-track disputes. Final laps saw Julio Rejón and Max Gutiérrez collide as they fought aggressively for position, sparking a major pile-up. Alex de Alba skillfully avoided the worst of the melee, climbing from seventh to fourth and ultimately clinching the Mexico Series championship for Sidral Aga Racing.
Safety Shortcomings at Mexican Race Tracks Highlighted Again
This alarming sequence quickly spread across social media, amplifying concerns about ongoing safety failures at the Miguel E. Abed Racetrack. The venue, located in Puebla, has a history of tragic incidents, most notably a fatal crash in June 2009. During that event, Carlos Pardo, the 2004 NASCAR Mexico Series champion, lost control at high speed, colliding with a retaining wall and later dying from his injuries at age 33 despite rapid medical evacuation.
Many NASCAR tracks in the United States have adopted the SAFER barrier system—an innovation using steel and foam to better absorb crash energy and reduce driver injuries. These barriers protect competitors by softening impacts against concrete. However, such safety equipment is largely absent at circuits outside the US, including the Autódromo Miguel E. Abed, where protective walls still appear to lack essential upgrades.
Further issues at the Puebla track have also been noted, with tire barriers reportedly placed at problematic angles that do not run parallel to the actual race line, a detail drawing scrutiny from observers and professionals alike. These design flaws have sparked long-standing debate about the adequacy of barrier systems and the prioritization of driver and personnel safety within the NASCAR Mexico Series.
The jarring events at this year’s finale serve as another reminder of the continued risks facing drivers like Santiago Tovar and the crew members who work trackside. With reactions from notable figures including LaJoie and the backdrop of past tragedies, the spotlight is firmly on Mexican racing authorities and their next steps toward ensuring greater safety at venues hosting major motorsport events, particularly as international scrutiny grows with each alarming incident.
The view from the grandstands of the Safety Car crash in @NASCARMex is uh, something.
At least it shows the safety worker getting out apparently unscathed.#NASCAR | #NASCARMex pic.twitter.com/k0qNnnWMYB
— Seth Eggert (@SethEggert91) November 10, 2025
