NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Max Gutierrez has sustained injuries after being involved in a car accident on Sunday, while traveling near Valle de Bravo, a resort area about 60 miles west of Mexico City, Motorsport.com reports.
The accident happened on Sunday when Max and his younger brother Federico were traveling in a Porsche Boxster when the vehicle collided with a Ford Explorer pickup truck.
Federico, 17, who was driving the vehicle at the time of the accident, was pronounced dead at the scene, while Max was transported by helicopter to a Mexico City hospital. The 20-year-old’s injuries are unknown, but he is expected to be released sometime Monday.
On Monday, Rette Jones Racing released a statement regarding the incident, which reads:
“Rette Jones Racing offers its deepest sympathies to the Gutierrez family for the loss of their son, Federico. Fico was not only a fierce competitor but also a friend and forever a member of our racing family. He will be sorely missed. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the family, but also with Max during his recovery and grieving process.”
— Rette Jones Racing (@RetteJones30) January 30, 2023
Federico, given the nickname “Fico”, made a name for himself in the Truck Mexico Series, where he was able to secure his first victory in Fall of 2021, finishing third in points. Last year, Fico made his debut in the NASCAR Mexico Challenge Series, with an 11th-place finish at Autodromo de Chiapas.
In 2019, Federico partnered with his older brother Max to compete in the 24 Hours of Mexico, with Fico becoming the youngest driver to ever do so, at 13 years old. Two years later, the younger of the Gutierrez brothers made his United States racing debut in a Late Model event.
Max Gutierrez, 20, stormed onto the racing scene with an impressive 2021 ARCA Menards Series East campaign, capturing the victory in the season-opening event at New Smyrna Speedway.
Last season, Gutierrez competed in select ARCA Menards Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series events for AM Racing, which included a head-turning eighth-place result in his second Truck Series start at Nashville Superspeedway.
TobyChristie.com has reached out to NASCAR International for a statement on the passing of Federico Gutierrez but has yet to receive a response at the time of publishing this story. Any statement given will be added as received.
To read the full report from Motorsport.com, click here.
