NASCAR Set to Make History with 2025 Cup Series Race in Mexico City, Expanding Horizons

NASCAR is on the brink of a historic moment as it finalizes plans to stage a Cup Series race in Mexico City in 2025, marking its first foray outside the United States in 67 years. Sources familiar with the decision, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the negotiations, suggest that an official announcement is anticipated as early as Tuesday, potentially featuring NASCAR executive vice president Ben Kennedy and Mexican driver Daniel Suárez at a press conference in Mexico City. The prestigious event is set to take place at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, a renowned road course that also hosts Formula One races annually. Scheduled for June 15, the Cup Series race will be preceded by an Xfinity Series race on June 14, creating a weekend of motorsport excitement in the heart of Mexico's capital. This move represents a significant milestone for NASCAR, as it will be the first international points-paying Cup race since 1958, when the series last raced at the Canadian Exhibition Stadium in Toronto. Suárez, a native of Monterrey, expressed his enthusiasm for the potential race, emphasizing that it would fulfill a long-held dream of racing in his home country. "Winning that race for me would be as big as winning a championship," he said, underscoring the personal significance of the event. NASCAR's leadership has long aimed to expand its reach beyond U.S. borders, and discussions regarding international venues have been ongoing for several years. Kennedy, who is the great-grandson of NASCAR founder Bill France Sr., has been instrumental in this vision. His push to introduce new markets was evident with the recent additions of races in Los Angeles and downtown Chicago, both of which attracted a fresh audience of motorsport fans. "The opportunity for us to continue to expand internationally is a huge growth opportunity for the sport," Kennedy noted. He highlighted the importance of bringing NASCAR to new demographics and locations, noting that recent events have attracted a significant number of attendees who had never previously experienced a NASCAR race. The growing interest in motorsports in Mexico has been palpable, with NASCAR's second-tier series racing at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez from 2005 to 2008 and the continued popularity of Formula One events in the country. Martin Truex Jr., a veteran driver who won an Xfinity race in Mexico City, recalled the electric atmosphere created by the fans there, affirming the excitement that an international race could generate. While the addition of a race in Mexico City is a progressive step for NASCAR, it may come at the expense of Richmond Raceway, which is expected to lose one of its two annual race dates according to a tentative 2025 schedule. Richmond has a storied history with NASCAR, having hosted two races a year since 1959. However, attendance and racing quality have waned in recent years, leading to speculation about the future of races at the venue. Denny Hamlin, a local favorite and multiple race winner at Richmond, acknowledged the challenges facing the track in drawing live audiences despite its strong television ratings. "If the fans turned out here and we sold out every race, then there would be two races," he explained, indicating that NASCAR must adapt to the shifting dynamics of fan engagement. As NASCAR prepares to unveil its complete 2025 Cup schedule, the impending announcement regarding Mexico City is poised to resonate throughout the motorsports community, signaling a new chapter in the sport's history and the beginning of a promising relationship with fans beyond the borders of the United States.