The Cup Series found a new home to host one of its countless road course expeditions. This one looks a little different from the rest, though.
Whereas the vast majority of Cup Series races have taken place on American soil in recent years, this one — a 2.674-mile saunter through depth-defying turns — will roll through a city of palaces: Mexico City.
Mexico’s capital city will handle hosting responsibilities for Sunday’s race. It figures to be a compelling watch, yet another sign of NASCAR attempting to shake things up as it looks to entrench itself as one of the world’s most notable racing circuits.
With that, here’s what you need to know about NASCAR in Mexico City.
📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
NASCAR at Mexico City, explained
The Cup Series will take its talents on the road on Sunday afternoon — in more ways than one.
The second road course race of the season will take place at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City’s signature motorsport venue.
The colossus, swept in amber and sapphire, presents a challenge to racers and viewers alike. After all, it’s more than 7,000 feet above sea level and teeming with turns.
NASCAR has been open about its desire to expand its reach in recent years. The circuit brought New Zealander Shane van Gisbergen into its ranks full-time ahead of the 2025 season. Then, there’s Daniel Suarez, the Monterrey native who has two Cup Series wins and an Xfinity Series title under his belt. His presence in the field should give the contest something of a hometown feel.
Teams were tasked with making a long and arduous journey to the heart of the continent’s largest city. Haulers waded through the backroads of the United States and Mexico to reach their destination, which resided 2,300 miles from Michigan, the site of the Cup Series’ last race.
We are driving nearly 12 laps around the earth at the equator to get to #NASCARMexico! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/iRgDK8hIf3
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 11, 2025
Only time will tell if their treks were worth it. But make no mistake — there’s ample reason to believe Sunday’s race will be one for the history books.
MORE: Complete guide for the 2025 NASCAR schedule
-
Has NASCAR ever raced in Mexico City?
The Cup Series has never descended upon CDMX. Another NASCAR circuit has, though: from 2005 to 2008, the Xfinity Series rolled through Mexico City.
Martin Truex Jr., Denny Hamlin, Juan Pablo Montoya and Kyle Busch all nabbed wins at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, the site of this year’s clash. Hamlin and Busch will look to repeat their feats this time around, nearly 20 years after they first took to the Mexico City stage.
Where is the NASCAR Mexico City race?
This weekend’s race will be held at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. The 2.674-mile (4.304 kilometer) track was erected in 1959 and has served as a home for various motorsports circuits, including Formula One, the TCR World Tour and the aforementioned Xfinity Series. The course typically features 17 turns, although it was abridged to 14 for the Cup Series contest.
The track is named after famed Mexican racers Ricardo and Pedro Rodriguez, the former of whom died at the site after wrecking during a practice session ahead of the 1962 Mexican Grand Prix. Older brother Pedro died nine years later in a mid-race crash in Germany.
History of NASCAR international races
Sunday’s race isn’t the first to take place outside the United States. Five Cup Series contests have been held overseas. Here’s a brief history of each of those jousts.
1952: Cup Series race at Stamford Park
- Date: July 1, 1952
- Location: Stamford Park, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
- Winner: Buddy Shuman
The Cup Series — then known as the Grand National Series — rolled into Ontario for an unnamed 200-lap duel. Buddy Shuman claimed the gold and a $1,000 grand prize, his only NASCAR win before his 1956 death in a hotel fire.
1958: Jim Mideon 500 at Toronto
- Date: July 18, 1958
- Location: Canadian National Exposition Stadium, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Winner: Lee Petty
Contested over a 0.333-mile short track, the Jim Gideon 500 wasn’t the most entrancing event. There was just one lead change and just four drivers completed all 100 laps. When the dust settled, Lee Petty was declared winner. His son, Richard, finished 17th in the standings.
1988: Cup Series exhibition race at Melbourne
- Date: Feb. 28, 1988
- Location: Calder Park Thunderdome, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Winner: Neil Bonnett
Held after two-points paying races (Daytona, Richmond), the 1988 exhibition race in Melbourne saw “Alabama Gang” icons battle wits. Bonnett downed all foes, including his friend, Bobby Allison, to nab the checkered flag at the track, which was configured into a setup similar to that of Charlotte Motor Speedway.
1996-1997: Cup Series exhibition race at Suzuka
- Date: 1996-1997
- Location: Suzuka Circuitland, Suzuka, Mie Préfecture, Japan
- Winners: Rusty Wallace, Mike Skinner
Chariots were shipped some 7,000 miles overseas to Suzuka Circuitland, a 155,000-seat colosseum owned by Honda. Rusty Wallace took home the crown in 1996 while Mike Skinner claimed first prize in 1997 despite only leading 26 laps.
1998: Cup Series exhibition race at Motegi
- Date: Nov. 22, 1998
- Location: Twin Ring Motegi Superspeedway, Motegi, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan
- Winner: Mike Skinner
Skinner returned to the front in the latest Cup Series exhibition race in Japan. This time, he was dominant — he led 94 laps on the day.
