Racing is meant to bring smiles to faces all year round. This includes everyone, from the drivers who fall in love with the sport to the fans who throng tracks for their heroes. But on some days it brings tears, and for NASCAR—after a fairly long time—it has happened once again.
2001 was the last time NASCAR saw a dark day. Probably the darkest of days in the history of the sport, the 2001 Daytona 500 saw the death of one of the greatest drivers to ever grace the sport. Since the death of Dale Earnhardt that February, no other casualty had been witnessed in the sport—at least on the tracks.
A lot of credit for that would go to the organization for increasing mandatory safety measures. The introduction of the SAFER barriers and the mandating of the usage of the HANS device were some of the measures brought in. Unfortunately, 2022 saw a resurgence of issues around safety in the sport.
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The Next-Gen car, introduced in 2022, was believed to be the next big thing for the sport. But drivers and teams had been criticizing the model for its lack of safety. Things came to a head when Kurt Busch crashed at Pocono—a crash that has, in all possibility, put an end to the career of the full-time driver.
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Thankfully, Busch is okay. His career might remain in limbo, but at least he is healthy and alive.
NASCAR driver in crash with brother
But for Truck Series driver, Max Gutiérrez, there were no SAFER barriers and HANS devices to save his brother. The driver was involved in a horrific crash in which his brother, Federico Gutiérrez, lost his life.
NASCAR México Series se une a la pena de la Familia, Gutiérrez, por la partida de nuestro piloto y amigo Federico Gutiérrez Hoppe 🕊 pic.twitter.com/puuRIbvxbc
— NASCAR MÉXICO SERIES (@NASCARMex) January 30, 2023
Max Gutiérrez is the winner of the 2018 Mexico Truck Series championship, while his brother Federico was one of the most exciting talents in the Mexico Truck Series. NASCAR expressed its condolences on social media.
Heartbroken to hear the news about Fico and Max. Have become great friends with them. Thinking about the Gutierrez family and max with his recovery. 😔 https://t.co/fxnSctcD5H
— Noah Gragson (@NoahGragson) January 30, 2023
— Rette Jones Racing (@RetteJones30) January 30, 2023
I met Fico Gutierrez in 2021 and he was so grateful to have the opportunity to race in the United States.
His huge smile and polite demeanor will be my greatest memory of him.
I am keeping the family and especially Max in my thoughts and prayers.
RIP.
— Chris Knight (@Knighter01) January 30, 2023
RIP, Fico Gutierrez.
Sending my thoughts and prayers out to the Gutierrez family and wishing Max a speedy recovery.
— Austin Konenski (@AustinKonenski) January 30, 2023
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Mexican NASCAR driver Max Gutierrez was involved in a fatal car crash in Mexico that took the life of his brother Federico, seen here. Max was helicoptered to a hospital on CDMX. https://t.co/UrfqSSjRUE
— Bernd Debusmann Jr (@BernieDebusmann) January 31, 2023
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The Gutiérrez family must be going through the toughest possible times. With Max still recovering, we hope he comes back to full health at the earliest.
