MEXICO CITY (AP) — The NASCAR Cup Series, the premier category of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, is one of the main sports championships in the United States and enjoys great popularity, especially in the southern states. It also has a packed schedule, with 36 races, but since 1958 it has never held a race outside the country.
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The last time was in Canada and now it will make history after NASCAR and the company OCESA confirmed on Tuesday that, starting next year, Mexico will host the Cup Series. The leaders of the Hermanos Rodriguez racetrack had been looking for years to add an international race to make more use of the iconic circuit in the country's capital.
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"This is once again an iconic moment for our country, we are excited about this great news, about the arrival of a new international race," said Alejandro Soberón, founder and CEO of OCESA.
When will NASCAR race in Mexico City?
The NASCAR race will be on June 15, 2025. That weekend, in addition to the elite category, the Xfinity Series, the second division, and the NASCAR Mexico Series will also be raced.
"We are excited to bring the NASCAR Cup Series, our premier event next year," said Ben Kennedy, NASCAR's Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer. "The NASCAR Mexico Series has been important for the development of future drivers. Daniel (Suárez) started there, as did a good number of other drivers."
Suárez, originally from Monterrey, in the north of the country, was crowned in the Xfinity Series in 2016 racing with Joe Gibbs Racing and he already has two victories in the NASCAR Cup Series.
"I am living a dream, the last time I ran here was 10 years ago and I dreamed of coming back to race in my country," Suárez said. "Now we can make a dream come true... competing in front of you, the people who saw me grow and mature, is very special."
The category that did compete in Mexico was the Xfinity Series between 2005 and 2008, and the current stars of the Cup Series, Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, and Martin Truex Jr. were winners during the four-year period.
More competitions for the Hermanos Rodríguez racetrack
The Hermanos Rodríguez Autodrome, in addition to hosting Formula 1 races since 2015, with the exception of a pause in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, also hosts a Formula E race every year, as well as some local car and motorcycle series.
“We have the goal of continuing to expand our products and entertainment to all our fans, customers, strategic allies, sponsors, and the industry itself. That is what has brought us here today,” said Alejandro Soberón.