Image Credentials: Generated with AI DALL·E 2025-02-28 10.09.27
By Staff Writer with Agencies
MEXICO CITY – Under the glow of midnight streetlights, Daniel Suárez led a group of NASCAR stars on a late-night exploration of Mexico City, capping off an eventful day of cultural immersion and race promotion. Their visit comes in anticipation of NASCAR’s first points-paying international Cup Series race in modern history, set to take place this June at the renowned Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
The upcoming event marks only the third time in NASCAR’s 77-year history that a championship-counting race will be held outside of the United States, the last occurring in 1958. Despite early excitement when the announcement was made last August, concerns over logistics, safety, and industry hesitancy have sparked speculation about the race’s viability. Some regular NASCAR attendees have already stated they will not be traveling to Mexico City.
However, NASCAR remains steadfast in its commitment to the venture, backed by a two-year agreement with local promoter OCESA. The organization, which also manages Mexico’s Formula 1 event and other large-scale entertainment productions, has gone to great lengths to ensure the success of the NASCAR race. This week’s promotional tour, which coincided with the launch of ticket sales, sought to generate local enthusiasm and provide top drivers with a glimpse of Mexico’s racing passion. General admission tickets for the three-day event start at approximately $50.
Welcome to Mexico City!
Four of our drivers toured @autodromohr in preparation for this summer’s @NASCARMexico_ race. pic.twitter.com/kFhK61VKUL
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 25, 2025
Suárez, a native of Monterrey, Mexico, was joined by past NASCAR Cup Series champions Ryan Blaney and Chase Elliott, along with recent race winner Christopher Bell. Their two-day itinerary featured a track walk, a traditional taco-tasting experience, a visit to Lucha Libre wrestling—where Suárez and Blaney even stepped into the ring—and a press conference that attracted hundreds of fans.
“I don’t think many people understand how special this is for me,” Suárez told The Associated Press. “It’s not every day that I get to showcase my home, my culture, to my competitors and friends. Many people have visited tourist spots like Cancún, but Mexico City has its authenticity, and I wanted them to see that.”
For OCESA, this visit served as a litmus test to gauge NASCAR’s market potential. The company previously hosted NASCAR’s second-tier Xfinity Series in Mexico City from 2005 to 2008, but this marks its first attempt at staging a Cup Series event. While demand for motorsports is high—evidenced by the swift sellout of Formula 1 tickets—OCESA is simultaneously negotiating an extension with Formula One Management and assessing whether the market can sustain multiple major racing series. Talks with IndyCar about a possible 2026 event have been put on hold as a result.
Beyond promotion, NASCAR also aimed to use this visit to build confidence among industry skeptics. A team of OCESA representatives is set to attend this weekend’s Cup Series race at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, to observe race weekend operations firsthand.
Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR’s Chief Operating Officer, compared the experience to the sport itself: “We always tell people, ‘Once you go to a race, you’re going to fall in love with it.’ That’s exactly what we’ve seen here in Mexico City. Watching the drivers embrace the culture, enjoy themselves, and interact with the fans—it reinforces why this race is happening.”
Blaney, who pledged to learn Spanish before returning in June, dismissed concerns over the event, calling Mexico City “beautiful” and its people “amazing.”
“I was never one of the ones worried about coming here,” Blaney said. “Anyone hesitant about attending this race is overthinking it. There’s nothing to worry about.”
With enthusiasm growing among both NASCAR officials and fans, the stage is set for an exciting and historic moment in the sport’s global expansion.
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