NASCAR’s global ambitions are no longer just talk. They’re happening, and the energy is real! From the packed grandstands at São Paulo’s Interlagos circuit to the festival-like scenes at England’s Brands Hatch, stock car racing is winning fans far beyond U.S. borders. NASCAR’s international push now includes thriving series in Brazil, Mexico, Canada, and Europe. 2025 is set to raise the stakes even higher.
For the first time, the NASCAR Cup Series will race in Mexico City, joining Xfinity and the NASCAR México Series for a massive triple-header. The move isn’t just about putting on a show for a new audience. It’s about building local heroes, growing the sport’s culture, and showing the world that NASCAR is much bigger than just Daytona and Talladega. But as the Cup Series heads to Mexico’s high-altitude capital, a new and unexpected challenge is looming for the drivers. And, one veteran is quite vocal about it.
Other factors are higher than the stakes in Mexico City
Fresh after clinching the pole position for the All-Star Race, Brad Keselowski is already looking ahead to NASCAR’s next big challenge: Mexico City. The Cup Series is set to race at the iconic Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, a venue that sits a staggering 7,300 feet above sea level. “It’s a tough track. I remember racing there one time in Xfinity in ’08, I think. I ran a four-race there,” Keselowski admitted, highlighting the unique physical toll drivers will face.
Brad Keselowski competed in the 2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City, known as the Corona Mexico 200. He drove the No. 88 Chevrolet for JR Motorsports and finished eighth in that event. Keselowski’s solid top-10 finish came in a field stacked with Cup regulars and road course specialists like Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, and others. The high altitude of Mexico City made for a grueling race, as Keselowski himself recalled, “You’re just exhausted when it’s done from that altitude.”
Well, the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez isn’t just famous for its history and passionate fans. In fact, it’s now the highest-altitude track NASCAR has ever visited. How high, you ask? Well, for comparison, most Cup tracks are well below 600 meters (2,000 feet). Naturally, this stark difference makes this event a true outlier. The thin air at such elevation means less oxygen for both engines and drivers.
“You just got to be in shape,” Brad Keselowski said, emphasizing that physical preparation will be critical. At over 2000 meters (7,300 feet), drivers will experience lower oxygen saturation. This can lead to quicker fatigue, shortness of breath, and even headaches, especially over the course of a long, grueling race. And the event is poised to be run for 100 laps (or more in case of cautions and restarts), totalling a distance of 242.9 miles. This will surely affect a few drivers who aren’t in the best physical shape.
As mentioned earlier, it’s not just the drivers. The high altitude also impacts the cars. With thinner air, engines produce less power. On average, down by about 20%. Plus, the cooling systems are pushed to their limits. Aerodynamics change, too. There’s less drag but also less down force, making the cars trickier to handle through the circuit’s fast corners and technical stadium section. Teams and drivers will need to adapt quickly, both in setup and conditioning.
When asked whether he will resort to mountain climbing to get fit for the race, Brad Keselowski joked, “I probably won’t do any mountain climbing. But I’ll just take care of myself. I’ve got other things that we do to stay in shape.” For NASCAR drivers, physical training is no joke. Many follow rigorous routines that combine cardio, strength, and endurance workouts. Simulated heat training, cycling, and even hypoxic (low-oxygen) exercises are common. All these are designed to prepare for the intense demands of long races, especially at extreme altitudes like Mexico City. But, is that the only thing they should be prepared for?
The global expansion of the most-acclaimed motorsport
As NASCAR ventures into unknown tracks, there is more than just Mexico to prepare for as a Cup series driver. Why? Well, Mexico is the closest to NASCAR’s home. We still have Brazil and the UK interested in being an active part of the sport.
Yes, NASCAR is confirmed to be going to Brands Hatch in England. As a part of the American SpeedFest, NASCAR will visit the UK on June 7 and 8 this season. This event is part of the EuroNASCAR calendar and is the only officially sanctioned NASCAR series in Europe. In a similar vein, Brazil awaits NASCAR’s arrival. In 2024, São Paulo’s government and track authorities proposed the Clash at Autódromo Velo Città.
The Governor of the province expressed it very crisply. “We are always looking for the best attractions for São Paulo that can bring in tourists, as well as attract investment and generate jobs. We have a racetrack that is a reference for the sport, and we have everything we need to put on a great event,” said Governor Freitas. Well, Brazil has its own representative in NASCAR.
Nelson Piquet Jr. is the only Brazilian racing driver to win in any of the three national levels of NASCAR. He won two Truck Series races in 2012, as well as a NASCAR Xfinity race during the same year. But the newest challenge is arriving soon.
As NASCAR continues its global expansion, Mexico City’s race presents a new kind of test. Will the Cup Series’ best be ready for the ultimate high-altitude challenge? Or will the thin air prove too much for even the fittest drivers? The answer will come at 7,300 feet, where only the toughest will thrive.
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