IndyCar Driver Pato O’Ward Shocked by Homeland Security’s Immigration Detention Center Plan Dubbed ‘Speedway Slammer’

IndyCar driver Pato O’Ward and series officials expressed surprise and dismay over a social media post from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) promoting plans for an immigration detention center in Indiana, dubbed “Speedway Slammer,” which featured a car with the same number as the only Mexican driver in the series.

O’Ward stated, “The post caught many people off guard, including myself. I was a bit taken aback by the coincidences and the implications of it… It’s safe to say that this announcement did not make a lot of people proud.”

The DHS post on Tuesday included an image of an IndyCar-style vehicle with the No. 5, bearing the acronym “ICE” multiple times, similar to a sponsor’s display. The car was depicted on a track with a building resembling a prison in the background, suggesting a computer-generated image.

Indiana is home to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and serves as the base for the IndyCar Series.

In response, IndyCar issued a statement saying, “We were unaware that our imagery was intended for use in yesterday’s announcement. Consistent with our approach to political and public policy issues, we have communicated our preference for our intellectual property not to be associated with this matter moving forward.”

Upon learning about the post, O’Ward said he had not yet delved into it extensively. “I’ve chosen not to read too much into it,” he added.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem used “Speedway Slammer” in a separate post to announce a new partnership with Indiana aimed at expanding detention space by 1,000 beds.

Born in Monterrey, Mexico, the 26-year-old O’Ward currently stands second in points. Although Alex Palou could clinch the IndyCar season title as early as this weekend in Portland, O’Ward was in Texas to promote next year’s inaugural Grand Prix of Arlington.

Scheduled for March 15, the race will take place on a 2.7-mile track that circles around the home stadiums of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys and MLB’s Texas Rangers. Prior to the Rangers’ game against the New York Yankees, O’Ward threw a ceremonial first pitch.