DHS references Mexican IndyCar driver to promote ‘Speedway Slammer’ detention center

• Pato O'Ward surprised by use of car number in X post

• IndyCar pushes back at use of imagery in post

IndyCar driver Pato O'Ward and series officials were shocked by a social media post from the Department of Homeland Security that touts plans for an immigration detention center in Indiana dubbed Speedway Slammer." It includes a car with the same number as that of O'Ward, the only Mexican driver in the series.

It caught a lot of people off guard. Definitely caught me off guard," O'Ward said Wednesday. I was just a little bit shocked at the coincidences of that and, you know, of what it means ... I don't think it made a lot of people proud, to say the least."