MEXICO CITY — The Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez circuit in Mexico Metropolis has performed host to Method 1 races for a number of years. This yr, the NASCAR Cup Series made its debut on the facility.
INDYCAR might probably be part of the enjoyable in 2026 as each NASCAR and INDYCAR look to extend their North American fan bases.
NASCAR followers look on throughout pre-race ceremonies previous to the NASCAR Cup Collection Viva Mexico 250 at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
Whether or not NASCAR returns can be decided within the subsequent couple of months. NASCAR and promoter OCESA should consider the primary journey of Cup to Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez and the primary go to south of the border of any NASCAR nationwide collection in 17 years.
It had been 67 years since NASCAR had staged a Cup factors race exterior the US.
“We imagine that our communities share a spirit of optimism and need to enhance the lives of our individuals by collaboration and connection,” NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps advised the drivers previous to the race. “We imagine that is notably true by sports activities, and in our case, motorsports. We now have the consideration and accountability to excite, entertain and unite by our sport, and I understand how a lot placing on an incredible present means to all of you.
“We hope that NASCAR can proceed to foster significant relationships right here in Mexico for a few years to return.”
Each NASCAR and INDYCAR have Mexican drivers competing at their highest ranges. Daniel Suarez was a fan favourite this previous weekend. INDYCAR driver Pato O’Ward — who, like Suarez, is from Monterrey — has a following that’s possible double or greater than Suarez as Mexican followers are likely to observe open-wheel racing.
“We might like to go there,” O’Ward stated after his second-place INDYCAR end Sunday at World Huge Know-how Raceway exterior of St. Louis. “I believe it might be implausible to have INDYCAR there, and we’re positive as hell going to try to pack the entire place up.”
INDYCAR star and Mexican driver Pato O’Ward would love for the collection to run a race in Mexico.
NASCAR Govt Vice President Ben Kennedy’s main position is spearheading the enlargement of the schedule to new venues. He stated discovering the proper spot on the calendar would be the key to returning to the venue, which hosts a Method 1 race every year and fairly probably an INDYCAR race subsequent season.
INDYCAR’s most probably date would come within the spring, the place there are fewer races and there are questions on a return to Thermal. NASCAR’s probably is extra nearer to the summer season, though the 2026 World Cup can have matches in Mexico Metropolis from June 11-July 5, which doubtlessly might influence when NASCAR might or would wish to race there.
Method 1 already has introduced its 2026 schedule and can race Nov. 1 in Mexico Metropolis, whose motorsports calendar additionally has included a Method E occasion (which this yr was in January).
Kennedy indicated that the cope with OCESA to advertise the race is a multi-year settlement, nevertheless it has choices year-to-year on whether or not to proceed.
“We’re very hopeful to be again right here sooner or later,” Kennedy stated. “We stated this time and time once more, … we have been daring and we have been modern. We have carried out issues like races in downtown Los Angeles and constructing a short lived [track] there [in the L.A. Memorial Coliseum], the first-ever avenue race in our sports activities historical past in downtown Chicago and this was the subsequent milestone second for us — bringing a race internationally.
“We’re very daring about persevering with to deliver our NASCAR Cup Collection internationally. Mexico is a superb place to do it.”
Sunday’s race wasn’t a sellout, nevertheless it was an enthusiastic crowd. Kennedy stated 90 % of the followers got here from Mexico and 44 % from Mexico Metropolis.
“We have been proud of [the attendance],” Kennedy stated. “The stadium part was packed … What’s simply as essential to us as the quantity of individuals is the actual fact that there have been avid followers that have been right here, there have been informal followers that have been right here, and there have been a ton of latest followers that had by no means been to a NASCAR race.”
A basic view of an LED show of Mexican-born NASCAR Cup Collection driver Daniel Suarez at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
Whether or not the occasion made cash possible wouldn’t be a problem concerning NASCAR’s determination to return.
“For us, that is extra of a strategic transfer as a sport to develop our footprint globally and internationally and to a brand new large fan base,” Kennedy stated.
“Simply being in a rustic with 90 million individuals and over 20 million individuals within the bigger Mexico Metropolis metro alone, that, in and of itself, is a hit. … That carries much more weight than the economics or financials of the occasion. “
NASCAR did have some challenges, particularly with planes it chartered to deliver groups and different trade personnel. One airplane apparently blew an engine and one other was grounded by homeland safety attributable to a paperwork difficulty.
That resulted in NASCAR having to alter its Friday and Saturday schedules, as groups on these planes both needed to look forward to planes for the subsequent day or two or scramble for industrial flights.
“There are challenges to internationally which might be completely different,” stated RFK Racing proprietor and driver Brad Keselowski, who competed in one of many Mexico races when the Xfinity Series raced there from 2005 by 2008.
“I believe the trade will re-learn a few of these classes from a decade plus in the past and be outfitted to deal with it higher the subsequent time.”
The drivers appeared to embrace the ambiance and the tradition. A number of had come to the realm within the final couple months to attempt to create consciousness for the race.
“It was a very particular factor for us to have the ability to come down right here and do that,” stated NASCAR’s hottest driver, Chase Elliott. “I assumed it was very well carried out. I have not had any dangerous experiences all through both of my journeys to Mexico Metropolis.
“I assumed the weekend was total a hit.”
Winner Shane Van Gisbergen and extra postrace interviews from Viva Mexico 250
NASCAR appeared to have discovered from a few of its experiences at new highway programs and appeared to discover a answer with strategically positioned tire packs to thrust back drivers attempting to chop the turns.
“It is at all times cool going to completely different locations,” stated race winner Shane van Gisbergen. “However I’ve no say in it.
“I believe everybody appeared to get pleasure from themselves. The racing was cool. I might love to return again.”
Some may not assume the racing was as cool as van Gisbergen, who won by 16.567 seconds over Christopher Bell. Whereas the second half of the race offered little drama, the racing on Saturday within the Xfinity Collection actually delivered, as that collection can often get somewhat chaotic.
Emerging from the chaos was Daniel Suarez, NASCAR’s lone Mexican-born Cup driver and the one Mexican to win a Cup race and the one worldwide driver to win a nationwide collection championship.
The followers roared for Suarez, who had made a number of journeys himself to Mexico Metropolis to advertise the occasion.
“Each single factor about this weekend exceeded my expectations. The individuals, the followers, the sponsors, the thrill, the vitality,” Suarez stated. “I had expectations for this weekend. Not for the outcomes however for the occasion and I can let you know that it personally exceeded these expectations.
“So very, very comfortable for that. Very blessed. I hope that we will do it many extra instances.”
Daniel Suarez had a profitable weekend in Mexico as he gained the Xfinity Collection race.
We’ll see if that occurs.
“Racing right here in Mexico Metropolis amongst these passionate followers in such a powerful venue, for the primary time in NASCAR Cup Collection historical past is, in a phrase, spectacular,” Phelps stated in his handle to the drivers.
“Collectively, we’re doing one thing that can be remembered within the historical past of our nice sport.”
Bob Pockrass covers NASCAR and INDYCAR for FOX Sports activities. He has spent a long time masking motorsports, together with over 30 Daytona 500s, with stints at ESPN, Sporting Information, NASCAR Scene journal and The (Daytona Seaside) Information-Journal. Comply with him on Twitter @bobpockrass.
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