Hyak Motorsports Part Ways with Veteran Spotter Amid Controversy
Hyak Motorsports has recently announced the departure of seasoned spotter Tab Boyd, who previously provided guidance for Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and the No. 47 Chevrolet team. For the upcoming race at Pocono, Clayton Hughes will step into the spotter role, replacing Boyd on the team’s roster.
Stenhouse publicly confirmed the change during a SiriusXM NASCAR interview on Friday morning, stating: “It’s unfortunate. The team decided to part ways with Tab Boyd this week, and Clayton Hughes will be filling in. I haven’t had the chance to work with Clayton before.”
While the team has not officially disclosed the reasons behind Boyd’s dismissal, Motorsport.com reached out for clarification, but no response has been received from team officials as of now.
Controversy Surrounding Boyd’s Comments on Mexico
This week, Boyd attracted attention for a controversial post on X (formerly Twitter), where he expressed his dissatisfaction with Mexico during NASCAR’s historic race outside the United States-the first points-paying Cup event held abroad since 1958.
Following significant online backlash, Boyd deleted his social media account. His original message read: “I’m ready to go home, screw this place. People can talk all they want, but you can’t even step outside the hotel without being hustled and robbed in less than five minutes. Good area, my ass.”
It appears Boyd was targeted by scammers during his visit. Despite stepping back from the Cup race this weekend, he remains listed as the spotter for Ryan Ellis and the No. 71 DGM Racing Chevrolet in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, as well as for Luke Baldwin and the No. 66 ThorSport Ford in the NASCAR Truck Series.
Boyd, a veteran with extensive experience in motorsports, has previously worked with prominent teams such as Hendrick Motorsports and driver William Byron on the No. 24 Chevrolet. He joined Stenhouse’s team in 2022, and together, they achieved victory at the 2023 Daytona 500.
This incident follows Spire Motorsports’ recent disciplinary action against their driver, Carson Hocevar. On Tuesday, the team announced a $50,000 fine after an internal review revealed Hocevar’s comments on a Twitch live stream, where he referred to Mexico as a “s***hole.” The fine will be donated to Mexican charities, and Hocevar is required to complete cultural sensitivity and bias-awareness training.
Broader Implications and Industry Reactions
The situation highlights ongoing challenges within motorsports regarding cultural sensitivity and the importance of respectful communication. NASCAR and its teams are increasingly emphasizing diversity and inclusion, with recent initiatives aimed at fostering a more welcoming environment for international fans and participants.
Statistics show that NASCAR’s international viewership has grown by approximately 15% over the past year, reflecting the sport’s expanding global footprint. The Mexico race, in particular, drew a record-breaking attendance of over 100,000 spectators, underscoring the significance of international events for the sport’s growth.
In light of Boyd’s comments and the subsequent fallout, industry insiders are calling for clearer guidelines on social media conduct and more comprehensive diversity training for team members and staff.
Summary and Future Outlook
As NASCAR continues to evolve on the international stage, incidents like Boyd’s comments serve as reminders of the importance of cultural respect and professionalism. The sport’s governing bodies are expected to implement stricter policies to prevent similar controversies and promote a more inclusive environment for all fans and participants.
Meanwhile, Boyd’s departure underscores the high stakes of public conduct in the digital age, where social media posts can have immediate and far-reaching consequences. The industry will likely monitor the situation closely, with an emphasis on fostering respectful dialogue both on and off the track.
Related Stories and Further Reading
NASCAR Cup Carson Hocevar fined for insensitive remarks about Mexico
NASCAR Cup Ricky Stenhouse Jr. warns Carson Hocevar: “I’m gonna beat your ass”
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