USA Today via Reuters
NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Truck Series CRC Brakleen 150, Jul 23, 2022 Long Pond, Pennsylvania, USA NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Max Gutierrez 22, driver Corey Heim 51 and driver Timmy Hill 56 race during the CRC Brakleen 150 at Pocono Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports, 23.07.2022 12:29:49, 18735729, Timmy Hill, Pocono Raceway, Nascar, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xMatthewxOHarenx 18735729
USA Today via Reuters
NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Truck Series CRC Brakleen 150, Jul 23, 2022 Long Pond, Pennsylvania, USA NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Max Gutierrez 22, driver Corey Heim 51 and driver Timmy Hill 56 race during the CRC Brakleen 150 at Pocono Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports, 23.07.2022 12:29:49, 18735729, Timmy Hill, Pocono Raceway, Nascar, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xMatthewxOHarenx 18735729
Earlier this year, a spot of tragic news rocked the NASCAR community. In late January, it transpired that 20-year-old Truck Series driver Max Gutierrez was involved in a road accident. After a hospital visit, Gutierrez was able to recover. However, the accident did claim a victim, his younger brother Federico. Naturally, the Gutierrez family was devastated, and none more so than Max himself.
Just before his NASCAR Truck Series start in Daytona, @MaxiGutierrezMX's 17-year-old brother, affectionately known as Fico, was tragically killed in a car accident.
I sat down with Max to talk about honoring Fico in Las Vegas and his decision to return to racing.#GraciasFico pic.twitter.com/WLIO8f0Oj4
— Jamie Little (@JamieLittleTV) March 4, 2023
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In spite of all this, he has elected to continue to race in honor of his younger brother. Ahead of the Truck race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, he spoke to journalist Jamie Little about his tough decision.
READ MORE: NASCAR Driver Max Gutierrez Pays an Emotional Tribute a Month After Tragedy
He told Jamie Little, “Well, I came back just to do the next step. My dad told me, ‘Are you ready to race?’. Yes because I have been racing since I was 3 years old. So I think it’s going to be hard for sure, but I want to race.”
How did the NASCAR driver perform at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway?
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Safe to say, Gutierrez actually enjoyed a fairly decent race. He finished in 21st place, which was respectable for his first-ever race in the season. To make matters even sweeter, he ran a tribute to his late brother Federico ‘Fico’ Gutierrez. Aside from Max’s budding NASCAR Truck career, he and his late brother competed in the NASCAR Mexico Series. Last year, the older sibling finished 7th in the standings, while his brother was in his rookie season.
via Imago
CHARLOTTE, NC – MAY 27: Max Gutierrez, driver of the 37 Toughbuilt, Distributed Ledger Chevrolet, speeds around turn four during the Camping World Truck Series North Carolina Education Lottery 200 on May 27, 2022, at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Charlotte, NC. Photo by David Jensen/Icon Sportswire AUTO: MAY 27 NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Camping World Truck Series North Carolina Education Lottery 200 Icon220527005
It was truly a shame to see Federico’s life and career cruelly cut short. Especially since he was a pretty talented driver as he finished third in the 2021 Mikel’s Truck Series championship. For the moment, the surviving Gutierrez will want to continue his budding NASCAR career.
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Hopefully, he will get more chances to drive the truck in more races and garner some experience. He is still young, so he has his entire career ahead of him.
