NASCAR’s Cup Series will race in Mexico City on June 14-15, marking its first points-paying event outside the U.S. since 1958. This expansion follows a two-year planning process. Continued exploration of street races in urban markets, particularly Southern California and Chicago, aims to broaden the sport’s audience. The potential for global investment from Saudi Arabia, Asia, and Europe is being considered, alongside grassroots initiatives.
For the first time since 1958, the NASCAR Cup Series will host a points-paying event outside the United States, racing at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City on June 14-15. This marks a significant development resulting from two years of concerted efforts by NASCAR officials to expand their reach, focusing on either Mexico or Canada’s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
NASCAR is also continuing its three-year partnership with Chicago, conducting street races near Grant Park. These initiatives aim to broaden the sport’s audience and appeal beyond traditional markets. Future events are being explored to further this goal, as indicated by NASCAR COO Steve O’Donnell.
O’Donnell mentioned that various stakeholders are interested in NASCAR’s potential for street racing. NASCAR has emphasized the importance of returning to Southern California, having historically raced at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, and now contemplating future engagement in the region. However, the specific plans remain unconfirmed.
In recent discussions, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund emerged as a potential financier for NASCAR, yet O’Donnell clarified that interest also exists from Asian and European entities. NASCAR envisions expanding internationally, adopting a model similar to the Mexican race that aligns with local cultural structures and incorporates grassroots initiatives.
Grassroots efforts may involve reviving historic short tracks, including Bowman Gray, North Wilkesboro, and Rockingham, which is set to return to the Xfinity and Truck Series schedules next Easter weekend. This strategy aims to engage a wider audience while maintaining NASCAR’s heritage.
Looking ahead to Chicago, NASCAR has invested $40-50 million into the event but faces opposition from local government. Observers believe that the 2025 race may mark the end of this initiative, similar to experiences in Los Angeles. For NASCAR, the focus remains on maximizing the success of the Chicago event by refining formats and addressing challenges that have arisen over the previous years.
“For us, we’re just looking at 2025. It’ll be the third year of a three-year run and each year we’ve wanted to build upon the momentum that we have,” O’Donnell stated. Further evaluations will assess the event’s success and potential evolution moving forward.
Original Source: sportsnaut.com
