Folks, NASCAR is currently on two missions. First to bring back old tracks to the Cup series, as they did with the Bowman Gray Stadium. This year was the first time since 1971 that the Cup Series raced at ‘The Madhouse.’ Clearly, this first mission worked well with the grandstands packed and fans wanting more of BGS. And the second goal on NASCAR’s agenda is to expand globally. That’s why we have a Mexico race on the schedule. But probably that’s not happening.
If you remember, NASCAR has been hyping this up for a long time now. And then they officially announced it in August 2024. NASCAR executive VP, Ben Kennedy had said, “When we talk as a leadership team about where we feel like our biggest growth opportunities as a sport is, international is always one of the first things that comes up.” If this was the case, why are they rolling back on it now?
If not Mexico, then where?
Folks, NASCAR hasn’t confirmed anything yet, but there is a rumor that the race might be canceled. And for the folks that don’t know, the Cup Series has marked June 15th on their calendars to visit the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico. This is the same road course that is a staple on the Formula One schedule. Well, if you check NASCAR’s official website, it’s still there on the schedule, but this one rumor page is saying it might be canceled. And before you shrug it off…this one is usually accurate about such things.
Daniel Suarez would be bummed out!
When NASCAR announced this, no one was happier than Daniel Suarez. Obviously, because it’s his home track. And back then, the Trackhouse Racing driver got emotional when he said, “This, for me, is like a dream. This is really a dream come true. Exactly 10 years ago, I was here racing NASCAR Mexico in 2014, and I won a race here before leaving NASCAR México and moving full-time to the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2015, and I knew that some, some years before my time, the NASCAR Xfinity Series had the opportunity to come to Mexico for a few years and I remember thinking what a dream it would be for me to race the NASCAR Cup Series one day in my country. I remember thinking that, and fast forward now nine years later, and here we are in Mexico City.”
And even at the recent promotional events, Suarez was beaming with joy. We haven’t seen him this happy before. And he got to show his fellow drivers places and the culture in which he grew up. That’s got to be the reason. “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. 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,” He said on their Mexico tour.
Also, Suarez was probably eyeing the Mexico race as his ticket into the playoffs. Imagine how great of a storyline it could have been. Homeboy winning his home race. Followed by Suarez’s epic pinata smash celebration in front of all his friends and family. If this rumor turns out to be true, the #99 driver is going to be the most upset. And not just for Suarez. But this would be sad for NASCAR as a whole. It could have been a great opportunity to get more international talent attracted to the sport.
Anyway, what do you think if this rumor turns out to be true? Were you just as excited as Suarez for the Mexico race? And if not Mexico, then where? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
The post Is NASCAR Cancelling the Mexico City Race Weekend? Exploring the Potential Replacements and Consequences of Rumored Setback appeared first on EssentiallySports.
