This weekend, the NASCAR Cup Series and Xfinity Series will race at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City.

For the third time in NASCAR Cup Series history and first time since 1958, the series will race a points-awarding race outside of the United States, and for the first time in Mexico. The prior two races (1952 and 1958) were in Canada.

The Xfinity Series returns to the road course for the first time since 2008 and fifth overall visit. The Craftsman Truck Series is off with its next race at Pocono Raceway on June 20.

NASCAR Cup Series’ Viva Mexico 250

• Sunday, June 15
  • 3 p.m. (All times Eastern)
• 100 laps
  • Stages end on laps 20, 45, 100
• Prime Video, Motor Racing Network, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

In total, 37 drivers are entered for the race. Katherine Legge makes her return to the series in the No. 78 entry for B.J. McLeod Motorsports as the only open entry.

NASCAR Cup Series at Mexico City 2025

From favorites to long shots, here are the opening odds for the race weekend, per Caesar’s Sportsbook.

• Shane Van Gisbergen +290
• Christopher Bell +550
• William Byron, Tyler Reddick +700
• Chase Elliott +850
• Kyle Larson +900
• A.J. Allmendinger +1200
• Chris Buescher +1400
• Daniel Suarez +1600
• Ross Chastain +2000
• Kyle Busch +2200
• Ty Gibbs, Carson Hocevar, Michael McDowell +2500
• Alex Bowman +3000
• Chase Briscoe +4000
• Austin Cindric, Joey Logano +4500
• Ryan Blaney, Denny Hamlin +5500
• Austin Dillon, Noah Gragson, Todd Gilliland, Bubba Wallace +25000
• Cole Custer, Justin Haley, Brad Keselowski, Erik Jones, Ryan Preece, Zane Smith +35000
• Josh Berry +50000
• Riley Herbst, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. +75000
• John Hunter Nemechek +100000
• Ty Dillon, Cody Ware +250000
• Katherine Legge +500000

NASCAR Xfinity Series’ Chilango 150

• Saturday, June 14
  • 4:30 p.m. (All times Eastern)
• 65 laps
  • Stages end on laps 20, 40, 65
• CW, NASCAR Racing Network, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
• Last winner: Kyle Busch (2008)

With NASCAR allowing 40 entries for the race weekend, all 39 drivers will qualify for the race.

Notable entries include: Alex Lange (No. 07), Daniel Suarez (No. 9), Josh Bilicki (No. 14), Ty Gibbs (No. 19), Christopher Bell (No. 24), Austin Green (No. 32), Brad Perez (No. 45), Sage Karan (No. 53), Thomas Annunziata (No. 70), and Andres Perez de Lara (No. 91).

Odds coming soon.

Dominic Aragon is currently the editor-in-chief for The Racing Experts.

From Grants, New Mexico, USA, Aragon started watching NASCAR in 2004 and has been covering the sport since 2009. Aragon is a 2012 graduate of Grants High School and a May 2016 graduate of the University of New Mexico with a B.A. in Mass Communications & Journalism. Aragon has worked in local and national media, as a musician, and an educator. He is co-author of the 2024 book “All of It: Daytona 500 Champion Tells the Rest of the Story” with racer Geoff Bodine.

Aragon, his wife Feliz, and son Christopher currently reside in Grants, New Mexico, USA.

You can reach Dominic at daragon@theracingexperts.net.

NASCAR’s Grand Ambitions Hit Roadblocks in Mexico: Will the Expansion Plan Survive the Chaos?

The roaring engines of NASCAR were expected to echo through the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City, but what was supposed to be a historic international race is now clouded with chaos and uncertainty. As teams and sponsors grapple with unforeseen challenges, the future of NASCAR’s global expansion hangs in the balance.

Sponsorship nightmares plague NASCAR as companies navigate unfamiliar territory south of the border. With strict advertising regulations in Mexico, sponsors are forced to cover up logos, leaving some teams in a financial lurch. FOX’s Bob Pockrass highlighted the predicament in a tweet, revealing the restrictions on alcohol, CBD, nicotine, tobacco, firearms, and ammo advertising for the upcoming race weekend.

The hurdles faced by teams like Richard Childress Racing, who had secured sponsorship deals with companies like Rebel Bourbon, underscore the complexities of venturing into international markets. The need for adaptability and compliance with local laws poses a significant challenge to NASCAR’s expansion ambitions.

Logistical nightmares further compound the chaos as teams juggle preparations for races in Michigan and Mexico. The high-stakes operation of swapping cars and equipment between venues within a tight timeframe underscores the immense pressure on NASCAR’s logistics team. NASCAR Vice President of Racing Operations, Tom Bryant, emphasized the extensive coordination required to ensure a seamless transition across borders.

While the Viva Mexico 250 may be a one-off event for now, NASCAR’s aspirations for more international races demand flawless execution and meticulous planning. The sport’s foray into uncharted territories brings to light the teething problems that must be addressed for long-term sustainability.

As the dust settles on the tumultuous journey to Mexico, NASCAR faces a crucial juncture in its quest for global dominance. The road ahead is fraught with challenges, but overcoming the chaos may pave the way for a new era of international expansion in the world of stock car racing.

NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin brought home the win at the FireKeepers Casino 400, a race that featured a ton of action and brought praise to the Michigan International Speedway.

At the veteran age of 44, Hamlin drove his No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota into first place.

It was his 57th win in NASCAR and the third of the season for the experienced driver.

The second half of the race became all about managing fuel. The top runners struggled on fuel, dropping pace lap after lap as they tried to save all over the track.

The fuel concerns allowed middle-of-the-pack runners like Hamlin to make up some serious ground and push for the win.

The racing was incredibly dramatic and aided by the fuel usage, leading to several over-takes and on-track battles during the last 30 or so laps.

Jeff Gluck, co-host of The Teardown podcast and writer for The Athletic, pointed out that it was the latest generation of cars that led to the incredible racing.

“Denny Hamlin said afterwards that this is maybe NASCAR’s most underrated track now. It’s perfect for the [Next Gen] car,” Gluck said on the podcast.

“It’s wide. It gives drivers lots of options. It’s high-speed handling matters. It was a great crowd today.

“It was the first time that these fans hadn’t been rained on in a few years here.

“It was a great day. It was really fun, a great weekend and nice positive way to end this little stretch of the season before we head to Mexico City.”

Hamlin managed to keep his focus despite having a baby on the way. He previously claimed that he would skip a race to witness the birth of his third child.

He went as far as to say he would leave the race anyway up until Lap 50 if the call came of his wife going into labor.

It never came during the race in Michigan, and now he adds another win to his illustrious career.

NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400 Results

1. Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Toyota
2. Chris Buescher, No. 17 Ford
3. Ty Gibbs, No. 54 Toyota
4. Bubba Wallace, No. 23 Toyota
5. Kyle Larson, No. 5 Chevrolet
6. Ross Chastain, No. 1 Chevrolet
7. Zane Smith, No. 38 Ford
8. Kyle Busch, No. 8 Chevrolet
9. Ryan Preece, No. 60 Ford
10. Brad Keselowski, No. 6 Ford
11. Erik Jones, No. 43 Toyota
12. Josh Berry, No. 21 Ford
13. Tyler Reddick, No. 45 Toyota
14. Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Chevrolet
15. Chase Elliott, No. 9 Chevrolet
16. Christopher Bell, No. 20 Toyota
17. AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Chevrolet
18. Shane van Gisbergen, No. 88 Chevrolet
19. Austin Dillon, No. 3 Chevrolet
20. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 Chevrolet
21. Justin Haley, No. 7 Chevrolet
22. Joey Logano, No. 22 Ford
23. Chase Briscoe, No. 19 Toyota
24. Ty Dillon, No. 10 Chevrolet
25. Riley Herbst, No. 35 Toyota
26. Cody Ware, No. 51 Ford
27. Noah Gragson, No. 4 Ford
28. William Byron, No. 24 Chevrolet
29. Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Chevrolet
30. Michael McDowell, No. 71 Chevrolet
31. Austin Cindric, No. 2 Ford
32. Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Ford
33. Todd Gilliland, No. 34 Ford
34. John H Nemechek, No. 42 Toyota
35. Cole Custer, No. 41 Ford
36. Alex Bowman, No. 48 Chevrolet

For more NASCAR news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.

In a shocking turn of events, the NASCAR Power Rankings have been completely upended following Denny Hamlin’s triumphant third win of the 2025 season.

The racing world is abuzz with the latest developments as Hamlin’s stellar performance has sent shockwaves through the rankings, leaving fans on the edge of their seats and competitors scrambling to keep up.

With this latest victory, Hamlin has firmly solidified his position as a force to be reckoned with on the track, showcasing his unparalleled skill and determination in each race he conquers.

As the NASCAR landscape continues to shift and evolve, one thing remains clear – Denny Hamlin is a true powerhouse in the world of racing, and his impact on the sport is undeniable.

Stay tuned as the NASCAR Power Rankings continue to be shaken up by the relentless prowess of Denny Hamlin and the thrilling twists and turns of the 2025 season.

CONCORD, N.C. (WBTV) – The son of a NASCAR champion returned to victory lane at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Monday night.

Brexton Busch — son of Cup Series star Kyle Busch — drove his No. 18 bandolero to the win on the speedway’s quarter-mile frontstretch track. He also raced in the legend cars race and finished fourth.

The win came on the first night of the 2025 Summer Shootout, which is a summerlong slate of racing action at the iconic speedway in Concord. Busch won his first race at Charlotte during the 2024 Summer Shootout.

The 10-year-old Busch is following in his father’s footsteps and has shown a knack for winning. His social media has shown his racing journey to his 100,000-plus Instagram followers, with starts on both dirt and asphalt in a variety of car types.

Busch has several more years until he can compete in any of NASCAR’s top three series but he appears destined to one day race at the sport’s top level. Drivers must be at least 16 years old to race in the Truck Series, but even then, they can only compete on road courses or ovals 1.25 miles or less. To race full-time in the Truck, Xfinity or Cup Series, drivers must be at least 18.

While the younger Busch continues to gain experience, his dad currently sits squarely on the Cup Series playoff bubble.

With 11 races left in NASCAR’s regular season, Kyle Busch is tied with Ryan Preece for the 16th and final spot. Busch hasn’t won since June 2023, but of the next 11 races, four are at road courses and two others are at superspeedway-style tracks — both of which he has shown speed at in 2025.

Also Read: Historic North Carolina speedway up for sale just weeks after NASCAR returned

Copyright 2025 WBTV. All rights reserved.

This weekend, Nascar will race at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City, marking the first points-paying Cup Series race held outside the US in the modern era.

Technically, a points-paying race did take place in Ontario, Canada, back in 1958 but that was well before the start of what’s widely considered modern Nascar, which began in 1972. Since then, there has never been an event like this.

Exhibition events have taken Nascar to places like Australia and Japan, while from 2005 to 2008 the second-tier Xfinity Series raced at the circuit hosting this weekend’s action. The Cup Series, though, is a different matter entirely.

Nascar may be the governing body for multiple series but, for those outside the US especially, Nascar is the Cup Series and the product that needs to be brought to their doorstep.

Still, introducing an international race to the official Cup Series schedule is far from straightforward. Unlike Formula One, which has long operated with a global infrastructure, Nascar is not an internationally established series and faces real challenges when expanding to new markets.

Lessons from Chicago

In many ways, the groundwork for Nascar’s expansion into Mexico began with the downtown event in Chicago, despite that not being an international event.

The 2023 edition was the first street race that Nascar had ever held, a sign that the series wanted to start doing things a little differently. However, it also highlighted that Nascar was not appropriately set up for the various logistical challenges.

Jeff Wohlschlaeger, head of sales for Nascar at the time, told BlackBook Motorsport that Nascar failed to anticipate “the level of work that would be required” for the event. The race ended up costing a reported US$50 million, which far exceeded the original budget of between US$15 million and US$25 million.

While Mexico will present its own unique challenges, the experience in Chicago means Nascar is far more prepared than it was previously.

Nascar’s most recent attempt to branch out into new markets has not been without teething issues, but these have been invaluable lessons for the series’ expansion into Mexico

“There’s some learnings [from Chicago] and quite a few of the people that work on the Chicago event are also spending time helping promote Mexico City as well,” Ben Kennedy, Nascar’s executive vice president and chief venue and racing innovations officer, tells BlackBook Motorsport.

“The biggest [learning] is how we think about marketing and promoting events and taking it to market. One example of that is we’ve branded the weekend in Chicago and the weekend in Mexico with the Nascar name. It’s important for us to be able to build the Nascar name in Chicago as well as Mexico.”

Indeed, Nascar races are usually heavily commercialised and centred around brand partnerships, like the Coca-Cola 600. But all the marketing in the buildup to this weekend has focused on the ‘Nascar Mexico City Weekend’, before being called the ‘Viva México 250’ one month out from its debut.

One major difference from Chicago is that the series won’t be promoting the event itself. Instead, the weekend is being led by Oseca, the promoter behind the Formula One race at the same circuit. Yet, as Kennedy points out, it remains a great undertaking for Nascar.

“The travel and logistics, travelling a pretty good distance from Michigan and having our entire industry go to Mexico City, it’s a far drive,” he explains.

“We have to coordinate flights and hotel rooms, and logistics when people get on the ground, as well as a couple hundred haulers that are going to be travelling down there as well.”

‘We felt the best first step would be to go south’

Kennedy reveals that Nascar “had multiple conversations across many countries and continents.” So why choose Mexico?

Nascar wanted to make a statement at the start of its new seven-year media rights deal, which is reportedly worth US$7.7 billion across four broadcasters. One of those, Amazon Prime Video, holds a five-race package that includes this weekend’s event, marking the first time the Cup Series has aired exclusively on a streaming platform.

The significance of going abroad for this race should help drive viewers to Prime Video, though the decision to pick Mexico also reflected practical considerations given the logistical challenges meant Nascar couldn’t venture too far afield.

“The amount of inventory that we carry through our Cup Series schedule makes it very difficult for us to travel from the United States overseas, pack our stuff up, and then be back the next weekend, seeing that we have 38 [races],” says Kennedy.

While Mexico is the most logical choice for now, Kennedy adds that Nascar will “take a race north of the border” at some point soon, meaning Canada is very much in the mix for a future event.

“We want to focus on North America,” continues Kennedy. “We’ve had a few conversations in Mexico. We’ve also talked to folks north of the border as well at a few different locations and we’d still love to have an event up in Canada at some point.

“But with everything on the table, and the great partners that we already have down in Mexico, we felt like the best first step for us would be to go south.”

The race was officially unveiled at an event at the circuit in August 2024, featuring appearances from Ben Kennedy and Daniel Suárez

Maximising the Mexican market

One of Nascar’s drivers is Daniel Suárez, who graduated from the Nascar Mexico Series. It highlights the organisation’s existing presence in the country and sits alongside similar regional series in Canada, Brazil and Europe. All of these offer insight into Nascar’s broader international expansion plans.

“It’s really important for us for building the overall awareness and relevance of Nascar in these markets prior to us considering it for a Cup race,” Kennedy says. “But, just as important, we want to use it as a pipeline for the future stars of our sport.

“Daniel Suárez is a great example of someone that started in Mexico and is now in our Cup Series, and we would like to see the same for Brazil and Canada and our other territories too.”

Nascar will also look to maximise its visibility in Mexico during its visit through a free-to-air (FTA) broadcast deal with US-based Spanish-language media giant TelevisaUnivision.

Notably, Nascar gave the Spanish-language rights to a local broadcaster rather than Prime Video, which is airing the race in the US. This underscores how eager series executives are for the event to reach the widest possible audience.

“It was one of the first things when we decided that we’re going to Mexico City,” notes Kennedy. “It was a priority for us to find a free-to-air partner so that we could have the distribution and exposure going into the weekend and race day.”

Suárez is the only Mexican driver to have ever won a Cup Series race, while only two drivers from the country – Jorge Goeters and Pedro Rodríguez – have ever made it to the top level of Nascar previously

Avoiding F1 comparisons

Working closely with Oseca and racing at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodriguez inevitably invites comparisons between Nascar and Formula One, something that is only increasing as the open-wheel series grows its presence in the US. 

Nascar’s global expansion plans are, in part, a response to Formula One’s rising influence, as well as the increasing competition for eyeballs.

Kennedy himself stops short of making any direct comparisons between the pair.

“Even though we’re going to be racing on a very similar layout to Formula One, and I would guess that many fans that come on June 15th have gone to a Formula One race, so much of it’s going to feel different,” he says.

“The closeness of competition, the level of aggression that our drivers are going to have … they’re going to see a different style of racing that’s going to be true to what Nascar is.”

Evidently, Nascar is keen to distance itself from Formula One amid mounting pressure.

Since the first race of the Formula One season on 16th March, Nascar’s average viewership has been 2.56 million. Formula One is not that far behind, averaging 1.33 million viewers over the same period.

Take out the first three races of the Formula One season, which aired during the middle of the night in the US, and the gap narrows further: 2.53 million for Nascar versus 1.58 million for Formula One.

Formula One is also attracting viewers in the sought-after 18 to 49 demographic, with last month’s Miami Grand Prix drawing 917,000 viewers in that age group.

In this context, it’s easy to understand why Nascar feels the need to evolve and also why Mexico won’t be a one-off. But the first hurdle to clear will be ensuring this weekend’s event is a success, laying the foundation for a long-term future on the schedule.

“The biggest thing is making sure that we strike the right tone when we go to Mexico, that we have people that are following the weekend, that come to the event, that tune into the race weekend,” Kennedy says.

“We feel like we’ve done a lot of things in our power, especially over the past few months, to make sure that this event is successful.

“Hopefully this is just the catalyst and the start to many years of racing in Mexico.”

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