NASCAR Rolls International: Everything to Know About Mexico’s First Cup Series Race
Racing’s top flight is headed south of the border, and we’ve got all the details.
For the first time in the illustrious 77-year history of the NASCAR Cup Series, the crown jewel of American stock car racing is revving up for its debut race in Mexico.
The move to go south of the border is part of NASCAR’s ongoing effort to grow the sport by catering to international fans and would-be talent with races on their turf. While the Cup Series did go north for two international races in Canada during the 1950s – one exhibition race in Niagara Falls in 1952 and one points race in Toronto in 1958 – only the Xfinity Series has previously held races in Mexico (2005-2008).
Though the goal of the Viva México 250 is to clearly elevate the NASCAR brand and expand its international footprint outside of the USA, the race itself will have major implications as it’s one of three events (Michigan, Mexico and Pocono) that will be used for seeding in the league’s inaugural in-season challenge. But before drivers fire up their engines, from the track to schedule, here’s what you need to know before the Cup Series makes its Mexican debut.
Where is the NASCAR race being held in Mexico?
When NASCAR heads south of the border this weekend, the league’s debut Cup Series race in Mexico will take place at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez near the center of Mexico City. Completed in 1959, the course was named after acclaimed Mexican racing drivers Ricardo and Pedro Rodríguez.
In addition to a final series of twists and turns through a baseball stadium called the “Foro,” putting the fans close to the action, the circuit features the longest start/finish strait of any road course that Cup Series wheelmen will face this season. While there’s plenty of room to capitalize on essential areas for speed, the elevation could be an impactful wild card. Considering the circuit is 7,349 feet above sea level, both man and machine could have difficulties with such thin air throughout the 242.9 miles of racing.
When is the NASCAR race in Mexico?
The NASCAR Cup Series Viva México 250 will take place Sunday, June 15 at 3:00 p.m. ET. Friday will host two practice sessions, one for 50 minutes and one for 25 minutes. On Saturday, the field of drivers will split into two qualifying groups for one round, with each getting 20 minutes to find its fastest lap. The final starting lineup will be devised by combining the two groups, using each driver’s quickest lap.
Here’s the full weekend schedule:
Friday, June 13
First Practice – 1:00 p.m. ET
Second Practice – 1:00 p.m. ET
Saturday, June 14
Qualifying – 12:00 p.m. ET
Sunday, June 15
Viva México 250 – 3:00 p.m. ET
What is the entry list for NASCAR’s Mexico race?
In total, 37 drivers will compete in Mexico’s inaugural NASCAR Cup Series event, the Viva México 250. Among the entries include 36 full-time racers, plus one “open” entry – Katherine Legge. The 44-year-old native of England will make her second career start for Live Fast Motorsport, piloting the No. 78 Chevrolet. She is the first woman to compete in NASCAR’s top flight since Danica Patrick did so in 2018.
While Daniel Suárez, the only Mexican driver in the field, will garner much of the spotlight as he goes for glory on his home turf, New Zealand’s Shane van Gisbergan is a favorite as he continues to impress on street courses since winning the Chicago Street Race in his Cup Series debut two years ago. Additional drivers to keep an eye on include a trifecta of past street course winners – Christopher Bell (Austin, Texas 2025), Kyle Larson (Charlotte, North Carolina 2024) and Chris Buescher (Watkins Glen, New York 2024).
Here is the full entry list for the Viva México 250:
Car #1: Ross Chastain, Trackhouse Racing (Chevrolet)
Car #2: Austin Cindric, Team Penske (Ford)
Car #3: Austin Dillon, Richard Childress Racing (Chevrolet)
Car #4: Noah Gragson, Front Row Motorsports (Ford)
Car #5: Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports (Chevrolet)
Car #6: Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing (Ford)
Car #7: Justin Haley, Spire Motorsports (Chevrolet)
Car #8: Kyle Busch, Richard Childress Racing (Chevrolet)
Car #9: Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports (Chevrolet)
Car #10: Ty Dillon, Kaulig Racing (Chevrolet)
Car #11: Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing (Toyota)
Car #12: Ryan Blaney, Team Penske (Ford)
Car #16: AJ Allmendinger, Kaulig Racing(Chevrolet)
Car #17: Chris Buescher, RFK Racing (Ford)
Car #19: Chase Briscoe, Joe Gibbs Racing (Toyota)
Car #20: Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing (Toyota)
Car #21: Josh Berry, Wood Brothers Racing (Ford)
Car #22: Joey Logano, Team Penske (Ford)
Car #23: Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing (Toyota)
Car #24: William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports (Chevrolet)
Car #34: Todd Gilliland, Front Row Motorsports (Ford)
Car #35: Riley Herbst, 23XI Racing (Toyota)
Car #38: Zane Smith, Front Row Motorsports (Ford)
Car #41: Cole Custer, Haas Factory Team (Ford)
Car #42: John Hunter Nemechek, Legacy Motor Club (Toyota)
Car #43: Erik Jones, Legacy Motor Club (Toyota)
Car #45: Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing (Toyota)
Car #47: Ricky Stenhouse Jr., JTG Daugherty Racing (Chevrolet)
Car #48: Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports (Chevrolet)
Car #51: Cody Ware, Rick Ware Racing (Ford)
Car #54: Ty Gibbs, Joe Gibbs Racing (Toyota)
Car #60: Ryan Preece, RFK Racing (Ford)
Car #71: Michael McDowell, Spire Motorsports (Chevrolet)
Car #77: Carson Hocevar, Spire Motorsports (Chevrolet)
Car #78: Katherine Legge, Live Fast Motorsports (Chevrolet)
Car #88: Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing (Chevrolet)
Car #99: Daniel Suárez, Trackhouse Racing (Chevrolet)
The NASCAR Cup Series makes it way to USA Network on August 3 with the Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol. Coverage then shifts to NBC on August 23 for the Coke Zero Sugar 400. The remainder of the post-season will air on USA Network except for the final two playoff races and the NASCAR Cup Series Championship in Phoenix, Arizona, which will air on NBC. To find out more, please check local listings and the Cup Series schedule.
