NASCAR Enters New Territory in Mexico City
This weekend marks a significant milestone for NASCAR as it hosts its first points-paying Cup race outside the United States in 67 years, taking place at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City. Three-time Cup Series champion Joey Logano has expressed his enthusiasm for this unprecedented event, highlighting the unique challenges and excitement that come with racing on unfamiliar ground.
"I’m excited about the event. It’s a lot of new things for all of us," Logano stated in an exclusive interview with Motorsport.com. Despite lacking wins on road courses in nearly a decade, he acknowledges the logistical effort taken by NASCAR and its teams to bring this race to fruition. "A lot of work for everyone… it’s pretty impressive to see it all come together."
As a historic occasion, officials are optimistic about Mexico’s potential role in NASCAR’s global expansion. "This is stepping out of our comfort zone, and when you do that, you usually grow," Logano commented on the possibility of more international races based on this event’s success. He noted logistical advantages in Mexico, emphasizing, "You can drive the trucks here…it makes good sense."
However, Logano’s track record at road courses raises questions. Only one of his 37 career Cup victories has come from such tracks, a win at Watkins Glen in 2015. “Road course races take a lot of things to come together,” he explained, reflecting on his adaptation to this style of racing.
Complicating matters further, rain is forecasted for the weekend, which could pose additional challenges for the 37 drivers. Logano quipped, "Everything else is different, might as well add some water to the equation." NASCAR is prepared for wet conditions, with six sets of wet-weather tires allocated to each team.
The Mexico City race stands to not only test drivers’ skills but could also reshape the landscape of NASCAR as it ventures into new territory. The event is a critical indicator of the sport’s future international ambitions, setting the stage for potential expansion beyond traditional borders.
