NASCAR stars enjoy immersive Mexico
City visit ahead of first international Cup Series race
 [February 27, 2025]
By JENNA FRYER
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Daniel Suarez led a quartet of NASCAR stars
through the streets of Mexico City, after midnight, in search of a
nightcap following a full day of showcasing his native country to
his fellow competitors.
NASCAR will hold its first points-paying international Cup Series
race in modern history in June when it competes at the Autodromo
Hermanos Rodríguez, one of the most popular stops on the Formula 1
calendar. It will be the first time since 1958 and only the third
time in 77 years that NASCAR’s top series will run an event that
counts in the championship outside of the United States.
When the announcement was made last August it was met with
excitement over a new venue in a new country. But as the 2025 season
has started, rumors have floated through the industry that the race
may not even happen, questions about security and safety have been
asked, and many weekly attendees have declared they won't be going
to Mexico City.
NASCAR hasn't waffled once on this venture — it has a two-year
contract with promoter OCESA, which also hosts the F1 race and other
large-scale entertainment events across the country — and made a
two-day tour this week through the city to promote Thursday's
opening of ticket sales. The opening price for a three-day general
admission ticket is about $50.
What this week's visit did for NASCAR was give four of its top
drivers a chance to experience the culture of Mexico City, witness
the first-class promotional efforts of OCESA and see firsthand the
excitement locals have for the top motorsports series in the United
States.
Suarez was joined by former series champions Ryan Blaney and Chase
Elliott, as well as Christopher Bell, last weekend’s race winner.
The group had an immersive experience that included a track walk,
taco tasting, a night at Lucha Libre wrestling — where Blaney and
Suarez both tried some moves in the ring — and a Wednesday news
conference that drew hundreds.
“I don’t think many people actually realize how special this is for
me because it's not every day that I get to show these guys my home,
my culture," Suarez told The Associated Press. “Everyone has an idea
— they've been to Cancun or somewhere like that. But to come to
Mexico City and to take them to very authentic places and see the
city, it's just been amazing to show them what they are going to
experience in June.”
For OCESA, this week's visit was a feeler for the market demand for
NASCAR, which ran in Mexico City with the second-tier Xfinity Series
from 2005 to 2008. Tickets for this year's F1 race sold out in one
day, but OCESA is in a contract year with Formula One Management and
is juggling both F1 extension negotiations and the relaunch of
NASCAR.
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NASCAR drivers, from left, Christopher Bell, Ryan Blaney, Chase
Elliott and Daniel Suarez promote the June auto race, Wednesday Feb.
26, 2025, in Mexico City. (AP Photo/Jenna Fryer)
Those two pressing matters have put talks with
IndyCar for a 2026 event on pause as the promoters wait to see if
Mexico City has an appetite and ability to afford multiple racing
series.
But for NASCAR, this week's visit was a chance for its drivers to
spread a positive message when they return to the garage this
weekend at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. A large
contingent of the OCESA staff is traveling to COTA to learn the
routines of a Cup race weekend.
“This visit is almost like how NASCAR is as a sport — we always tell
people that ‘Hey, once you go to a race, you’re going to fall in
love with it,'” said chief operating officer Steve O'Donnell.
“That's been my experience in Mexico City and I think you're seeing
the same with the drivers who came down here. Seeing them smile,
relax, have some fun, learn some new things — I'm hopeful they'll
return with some positive messaging."
Blaney, who vowed to learn Spanish before he returns in June, said
he “loved every minute” of the trip and anyone in the industry who
is nervous about attending the race is overthinking things.
“I was never one of the ones who was sketched out about coming to
Mexico City," Blaney said. "There's nothing to worry about. The
place is beautiful, the people are amazing and we've had no issues.”
Elliott, NASCAR's most popular driver and the most reserved of the
quartet in Mexico City, said he won't hesitate encouraging fans to
come to the race.
“There's been nothing about my experience over the last two days
that raises any level of concern of how we're going to be accepted,
if there's a lack of excitement, or if there are safety issues,” he
said. “And the venue? Honestly it was even better than I thought it
was going to be. I have nothing bad to say about racing in Mexico
City.”
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