NASCAR Preview: Mexico City Race Weekend

DIVEBOMB Motorsport
Jun 14
5 min read

Written by Gabriel Tsui & Ashleigh McGregor

Going abroad for the first time in decades, the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity series’ travel to the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez for a historic weekend.

NASCAR’s layout will be fairly similar compared to most international series – such as Formula One – but with one notable difference. Instead of a sharp 90-degree left-hander into Turn 4, they will take a quick right (with about the same characteristics as an oval corner) into the esses. From there, the lap will be as normal. This layout comes out to 2.417 miles (3.89 kilometres) in length, as opposed to the usual 2.674-mile (4.304-kilometre) variation.

While this track is uncharted territory for the Cup Series, the Xfinity Series raced here – with the same layout – from 2005 to 2008. With winners from that time such as Kyle Busch and the not-present Denny Hamlin, this inaugural Cup race will be one for the ages.

Below are the start times for each race plus lap count:

Xfinity: Saturday, 14 June, 14:30 local (21:30 UK) – 65 laps
Cup: Sunday, 15 June, 13:00 local (20:00 UK) – 100 laps

Below are the defending winners of each race:

Xfinity (2008): No. 20 - Kyle Busch (Joe Gibbs Racing)
Cup: never held

Cup Series: Viva México 250

Written by Gabriel Tsui

Immediately following an exciting race in Michigan, the drivers are crossing the border, not to the northern neighbour Canada, but going cross country to Mexico City in Mexico for the first points race abroad. As we enter the second road course race weekend of the season, who will be able to triumph in the first international race?

The drivers will be driving 100 laps around the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, with the layout being mostly similar to the Formula One layout, only omitting the chicane and hairpin at the southern point of the track. The total distance run around the track will be 243 miles (391 kilometres).

The weather report indicates there will be persistent precipitation throughout the race weekend, so there is an expectation for certain delays and pauses during the weekend. Temperatures will be hovering around 23 degrees Celsius (75 degrees Fahrenheit). The race will commence on the Sunday of June 15th, at 15:00 Eastern (12:00 Pacific, 20:00 British).

Race Predictions

Denny Hamlin took his third win of the season in rival territories, and the playoff picture remained stagnant with seven spots up for grabs. Road courses are especially difficult, especially in rainy conditions. Last year’s Chicago race provided an outlook on how most would perform in said conditions, but there are a few road course favourites.

Shane Van Gisbergen is having a difficult rookie season so far, standing at 33rd place in the championship standings. However, he is a wizard around the road course, as shown in his past performances around Chicago. Mexico City is a completely different race track and conditions will be different, but he could absolutely stand out.

Hometown hero Daniel Suarez is also one to look out for, as he is in a contract year, fighting for another chance at being back with the team. The Mexican has an up-and-down record around road courses, and his season so far hasn’t been going as planned. But should he find a win in NASCAR Cup Series’ first visit to Mexico, his chances at re-signing will be much higher.

However, the pick for this weekend is Chris Buescher, who has been ramping up to a win. He won at Watkins Glen during the playoffs in the previous season, and has had multiple top-tens in the past few seasons around COTA and Sonoma. Buescher is having a great season, but locking into the playoffs will avoid any late season drama, and we believe he will find his first win of the season in Mexico.

Three storylines to look out for

Denny Hamlin to miss Mexico

In a radio interview, Denny Hamlin expressed that he would be missing Mexico City if his fiancée hasn’t delivered the baby yet. His replacement, Ryan Truex, who was on standby in Nashville and Michigan, has just been announced as the driver for the No. 11 in this weekend's activities, as Hamlin's fiancée recently birthed their child.

Ryan Truex, as JGR's sim-driver, has picked up a few Xfinity Series wins, and while Mexico City isn't in his wheelhouse, look out for Truex to make a good impression.

Does it ever end for Carson Hocevar?

If you are a Carson Hocevar fan, one would assume a slight amount of sobbing was in order following Michigan. Holding the lead towards the end of the race, there was hope despite having a critical fuel situation. However, a blown left rear was all it took to drop the No.77 a lap down and to 29th place.

There are questions to be asked for Spire and their crew of engineers, as they can ill-afford to continue wasting such form from the 22-year-old.

15th straight top-20 for Chase Elliott

So far into the season, Chase Elliott’s name hasn’t come up much, as the former Cup Series champion has yet to truly throw himself into the championship contention. However, Elliott has lined up a 15-race top-20 streak to start the season, and sits in fifth place in the championship standings, only behind multi-race winners and William Byron.

Despite the glaring zero in the win statistics, he will have no problem making the playoffs if he keeps up this incredible performance.

Xfinity Series: The Chilango 150 Preview

Written by Ashleigh McGregor

This weekend is a special one, as the Xfinity series moves out of America and back to Mexico City! The Xfinity series returns to Mexico City, Mexico for the first time since 2008.

Meaning this is a new track for nearly everyone to go racing on. With the playoff picture looming over drivers who have yet to clinch a spot, this track can really shake up the grid.

Last race out, championship leader Justin Allgaier joined Austin Hill as triple race winners this season. Allgaier completely dominated in Tennessee at the Nashville Superspeedway.

Race Weekend Guide

Last race, Connor Zilisch once again finished in second place. He’s already claimed a win at the first road course of the season and has a spot in the playoffs. He started the season as the rookie to watch and he has been delivering. Road courses are in his wheel house so this weekend could very well go his way.

Allgaier held off Zilisch from getting the win in Nashville. These teammates should have an interesting battle this week as the tides might turn more in favor of Zilisch.

Sam Mayer is another driver who excels at road courses. Currently third in the driver championship, he has yet to secure a win this season. He will be looking to take it all the way to the finish line.

The Mexico City race will see Andrés Pérez de Lara, a rookie in the Truck Series, make his debut for Xfinity. This will be a valuable weekend for him with tons of learning.

Cup drivers' influx

The Xfinity Series has seen a few Cup drivers come down this season to race for a weekend, while still competing afterwards for the Cup Series. These drivers have come and dominated the grid when they race.

Ty Gibbs, Christopher Bell, and Daniel Suárez are all taking part in the Xfinity race this weekend.

For drivers like Zilisch or Mayer this means they’re going to have to fight a lot harder to secure that win. Could the win go to a Cup driver, or will the Xfinity drivers show they have what it takes to beat them?

Track Insights

Cars will be on track for practice on Saturday at 11:05 am EST due to travel delays. Qualifying is happening mid race day morning at 12:10 pm EST.

In the afternoon, drivers will cover 157.3 miles over 65 laps during the race. Stage 1 and Stage 2 will be 20 laps each. The final stage will be 25 laps.

This is the second road course out of seven for the season.