This season, NASCAR is stretching well beyond its traditional boundaries. Ever since its inception, the stock car racing series has been firmly rooted in the United States. On a few rare occasions, the series has ventured out to foreign shores, but mostly on a one-off basis or as an exhibition race. In 2025, though, NASCAR is heading to Mexico for the first time ever, and the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez will host a points-paying race.
There are a lot of things that make it unique, even by NASCAR standards. First and foremost, it is a road course and not an oval, which NASCAR is used to. Second of all, the track is located 7500 feet above sea level, making it the highest race track in the world. Naturally, the altitude comes with its own set of challenges for the drivers to overcome. Drivers will have to adjust to being in a location of that height, and teams will have to see how the altitude affects the cars.
But before the V8s had the opportunity to roar south of the border, a few NASCAR drivers had the opportunity to soak in the venue and the facility. Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott, Daniel Suarez, and Kyle Larson had a trip to Mexico City, which could’ve helped them get acclimatized to the conditions. This could serve as an advantage for the drivers and teams who had the feel of the track and surroundings beforehand, but Denny Hamlin isn’t too bothered about it.
Denny Hamlin will improvise without the visit to Mexico
Whenever a racetrack is situated in high altitudes, it does alter the on-track racing and physical conditioning of the drivers. Fatigue and lack of sleep could hamper a driver’s schedule and, in turn, could affect performance during the race. So will the likes of Larson and Blaney fare well in comparison to their rivals? Well, Hamlin doesn’t think that it will be a huge factor.
“I just think it’s probably going to be different for everyone. Some people, even the young guys die of heat unless they have a cool shirt. The way people acclimate to different conditions is all different. Some people I know are going to go to higher elevation for a few days before, to try and get acclimatize. I think I’m going to win it. All those things play a factor, these engine guys tune the maps, all those things. Certainly, we could see some difference there. I don’t think you’ll see anything on the track as far as differences, but certainly it plays a factor. Elevation plays a factor in all kinds of different parts of the car.” Hamlin said in an interview ahead of the Texas race.
Although the Cup Series is making its debut in Mexico, the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez is no stranger to NASCAR. From 2005 until 2008, the NASCAR Xfinity Series had raced there, and now it is making a comeback. Interestingly, some of the current NASCAR drivers are actually familiar with the Mexican race track. Just three drivers have raced at Mexico: Brad Keselowski, Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch. Hamlin and Busch even won a race each. The other winners are Martin Truex Jr. and Juan Pablo Montoya. So, Hamlin knows his way around the 2.674-mile track and his confident in his abilities to adapt and improvise in varying racing conditions.
Formula One F1 – Mexico City Grand Prix – Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City, Mexico – October 30, 2022 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen wins the race and sets a new F1 record of 14 grand prix wins in a season REUTERS/Carlos Perez Gallardo/Pool
The visit by Cup Series drivers was more than just business. Ask Ryan Blaney and Daniel Suarez, as these two drivers even got in a traditional Mexican wrestling ring.
From NASCAR ovals to the Lucha Libre ring
It was supposed to be a routine promotional event where Cup stars would soak in the atmosphere of the city and the racetrack. But, local boy, Daniel Suarez, wanted to have fun, and he even convinced Blaney to join him in a wrestling ring. Both of them even donned the traditional luchador masks, embracing the true spirit of Mexico’s most iconic sport. You would think that would be it, a quick photo session for social media, and they would be back being drivers. But that wasn’t the case.
The Trackhouse Racing driver leapt from the middle rope and delivered a body slam to Blaney, sending the crowd into a frenzy. Blaney also tried his hand at pulling off the bounce move of the ropes, but he failed miserably. Meanwhile, Suarez looked to be in his element as he continued with a reverse handstand with the support of the ropes. This had Blaney in stitches, and this wholesome content was even shared by NASCAR on social media.
NASCAR and the drivers have kick-started the hype train for the mega event in Mexico City. This international race is perhaps the biggest undertaking by the sanctioning body in the modern era, and it could make or break their ambitious plans to expand the sport in front of a new audience.
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