CONCORD N.C. – This weekend, race engineers will be put to the test as the NASCAR Cup Series and the NASCAR Xfinity Series put rubber to the road in Mexico City.

The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez racecourse has many unique features about it, one of which is its disposition above sea level. With an elevation of over 7,000 feet, the circuit lives in a thinner air pressure that affects the entire car. Among the differences will be changes in producing power, managing tire wear, fuel consumption and overheating.

But it all starts with the engine. And it’s up to the shop to provide a power source that’s reliable at elevation. That is why Scott Maxim, powertrain director at Hendrick Motorsports, is pushing his team to make the best eight engines (including customer) they possibly can ahead of the Cup Series inaugural race in Mexico. 

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With no current track on the calendar matching the unique properties that Mexico City presents, the engine team had a lot going against them ahead of this inaugural race. On top of the uniqueness, travel schedules required all cars to be completed prior to last weekend’s race at Michigan International Speedway. Pushing up an already tight deadline. 

“We don’t have a lot of reference points at a higher elevation for us to use as a guide,” Maxim said. “Sonoma (Calif.) is near sea level. Watkins Glen, which we race at in New York, is about 460 feet above sea level. None of the circuits are at a high elevation, so this will be all new to us.”

In order to stay competitive during the race, the team has to rely on their general road course knowledge and data from other racing series to help build the engines to withstand thin air pressure while also lasting the duration of the race.

“We’ll maintain the same build specification based on what we understand from the limited amount of driver simulation that we’ve been able to determine,” Maxim said when discussing how to build an engine for a new circuit. “There’s a broad RPM range that the engine will run. From as low as 3,500 RPM to our maximum allowed of 9,000 RPM, that’s a broad RPM range of nearly 6,000 RPM. Elevation does not play a factor into that. It is all about the RPM range.

“We look at the engines operating range of RPM and we look at the racetrack for where the power relative to corner exit down the straightaway is most optimized to be able to provide our drivers with passing opportunities. We want to provide them with the tools they need to do their job to their highest capability. We’ll look at that in terms of corner exit RPM down the straightaway and try and optimize the power band for the best competitive performance,” Maxim added.

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There is a unique challenge when racing at such high altitudes. The engine has to accommodate more than just how fast the car is going. It has to be able to take in fuel to move the pistons, disperse power throughout the car, and endure a three-hour race at a track which requires high speeds and heavy braking. 

“The circuit is approximately 7,400 feet above sea level, so that in comparison to our typical road course that we race on is about a 22% reduction in air density and with that reduction, we have a near equal amount of power loss. The fuel consumption will be near equal to what that is,” Maxim said.

“The air is 22% less dense and therefore a naturally aspirated engine like the one we run in the NASCAR Cup Series and the Xfinity Series will produce a corresponding percentage of less power as a result of the air density decrease. We will also use a near equal amount of reduced fuel, so we’ll see a significant amount of fuel reduction. We have to tune accordingly for the reduced air density, and we’ve had to make adjustments in our calibration to better match the lower air density of Mexico City,” Maxim followed up.

“In addition to all of that, the air density decrease also has an impact on our cooling systems that are reliant upon the airflow from the racecar, so engine cooling, water and oil cooling, transaxle and driver cooling are impacted by the air density. We’ve got to make adjustments there in our cooling systems to allow for better airflow to try and overcome that reduced efficiency,” Maxim concluded.

Thankfully for the teams, NASCAR is allowing two practice sessions this weekend to compensate for the unknowns. Maxim plans on taking full advantage of both. 

“We welcome the fact that we get two practices. The first is 50 minutes long and the second being 20, will allow us to do some additional confirmation and fine tuning,” Maxim said.

Despite the obstacles of racing outside the U.S. at a new circuit that is unlike anything the Cup Series has raced on previously; Maxim and his team are happy that NASCAR is getting its name out to newer audiences. 

“I think it’s great for NASCAR and our sport and our sponsors to showcase our race team and all the work and dedication that go into our cars and engines,” Maxim said. “I think it is great for us, and I welcome that. Showcasing our teams, drivers and cars to more people is a positive.”

You can watch all four Hendrick Motorports drivers put these engines to the test this weekend. Catch the main event at 3 p.m. ET Sunday, June 15 on Prime Video.

Ford Motor Company has revealed two of its key building blocks for its boldest endurance racing initiative in decades. The Dearborn icon confirmed its long-awaited return to the top tier of international sports car racing in 2027, and has now unveiled two essential components of its upcoming FIA World Endurance Championship Hypercar effort: a technical partnership with renowned French chassis constructor ORECA, and the appointment of motorsports veteran Dan Sayers to lead the program.

In an announcement made on Friday at Le Mans, at the largest gathering of racing Mustangs ever assembled at the Circuit de la Sarthe for two Invitational Challenge support races in which he’s competing, Ford President and CEO Jim Farley delivered his announcement with conviction: The goal is clear, Ford is coming back to win Le Mans.

“Bringing Ford back to the top class at Le Mans has always been a dream for many of us, including our Executive Chair Bill Ford,” said Farley. “To be able to partner with ORECA is a proud moment for Ford. We are coming back to Le Mans to win, and we aren’t making that a secret.”

Ford’s rivalry at Le Mans with Ferrari is one of the most iconic in motorsports history. It began in the 1960s when Ford, spurned by a failed attempt to purchase Ferrari, launched an all-out assault on Le Mans. With the GT40, Ford toppled Ferrari’s dominance, famously going 1-2-3 in 1966 and winning four consecutive times through 1969. That era redefined American ambition in international motorsports, and was rekindled by the 2019 blockbuster racing movie Ford v Ferrari, which starred Matt Damon and Christian Bale.

The fact that Ferrari has won the past two editions of Le Mans might just have been the trigger to renew their epic rivalry, while its domestic nemesis, General Motors, scored a front row lockout for this year’s running via its Cadillac brand on Thursday night.

“On Sunday, it will be exactly 56 years since we last took the top step of the overall podium here,” added Farley. “That is long enough. In 2027, we are coming with the same level of expectation, and we are entrusting ORECA to help us take on Ferrari and the other top-class teams as we did back in the 1960s.”

While Ford returned to the race in the GTE-Pro ranks in 2016 with class victory at Le Mans, and more recently with Mustang GT3 entries, this new Hypercar project re-establishes the brand’s intent to once again fight for outright victory once more. As the selected chassis partner, ORECA brings a competitive track record to the effort. 

Founded by Hugues de Chaunac in 1973, the French engineering powerhouse has amassed nearly 240 wins in LMP2 competition, including 10 straight Le Mans victories in the category. Their presence in Hypercar, already supporting multiple manufacturers, makes them a natural partner to produce a serious contender for the Blue Oval.

“We are honored that Ford has chosen ORECA to design the future WEC Hypercar for their return to the top tier of endurance racing,” said de Chaunac. “This strategic partnership is a key part of our ongoing commitment to the highest level of racing, and to the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans.”

Steering the technical direction of the program will be Dan Sayers, a respected name in international motorsport with a career spanning Formula 1, WEC and World Rally Championship. Sayers joins Ford from Red Bull Ford Powertrains, where he played a key role in the development of the 2026-spec F1 hybrid power unit. He previously served as Technical Director at Aston Martin Racing, where he was instrumental in the design of the V12 Vantage and multiple Le Mans class victories.

“To lead Ford back to its spiritual home at Le Mans was a challenge I could not turn down,” said Sayers. “Having previously led Aston Martin to multiple Le Mans class victories, the opportunity to take overall honors with Ford is something very special.”

Steering the technical direction of the program will be Dan Sayers, a respected name in international motorsport with a career spanning Formula 1, WEC and World Rally Championship. Sayers joins Ford from Red Bull Ford Powertrains, where he played a key role in the development of the 2026-spec F1 hybrid power unit. He previously served as Technical Director at Aston Martin Racing, where he was instrumental in the design of the V12 Vantage and multiple Le Mans class victories.

His appointment underscores the program’s seriousness – Ford is clearly recruiting from the top shelf to ensure every component, from engineering to execution, is ready for the pressures of Le Mans.

Ford’s return in 2027 isn’t just a nostalgic play; it’s a strategic re-entry into the highest echelon of motorsport at a time when the Hypercar class is attracting an unprecedented level of manufacturer engagement. The convergence of luxury, heritage, and performance embodied by this program makes it especially compelling to collectors and motorsport devotees alike.

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Source: Ford

After weathering a turbulent rookie campaign with Spire Motorsports that ended in a 30th-place finish in the standings, Zane Smith knows full well that breaking into the NASCAR Cup Series is no easy feat. Reflecting on that maiden voyage, which he bluntly described as a “bad luck year,” Smith now appears to have found more stable footing in Year Two.

Ready for his run in Mexico, the Front Row Motorsports driver was asked to assess his season to date. “It’s been pretty fun. I’m probably having the most fun I’ve ever had throughout my racing career, and the last time I think I said that was in 2022 with FRM. It’s been great. Being able to get that pole was really cool. I feel like we’ve thrown away a lot of top 10s and possible top fives,” Smith said.

The numbers back him up. Through 15 races last year, Smith had just three top-20 finishes and failed to crack the top 10. This season, he’s flipped the script, scoring ten top-20s, including a pair of top-10s, showing clear signs of growth and consistency.

“I feel like we’re getting ourselves closer and closer to putting ourselves in contention for a race win on Sunday,” he noted. Smith didn’t sugarcoat the struggles of his rookie year but emphasized that he’s been chipping away, focused on execution, and maximizing every opportunity.

Having spent two prior years with FRM in the Truck Series, Smith added, “It’s been awesome being back at FRM and being teammates with two really close friends.”

His history with Front Row and the Ford camp runs deep. Smith recalled building special memories on the Truck side and now hopes to forge more on NASCAR’s biggest stage, this time, with a Sunday spotlight.

Yet the journey hasn’t come without heartbreak. After a grueling 2024, Spire Motorsports chose not to renew his contract. Instead, they signed Michael McDowell to a multi-year deal in May 2024 to pilot the #71, effectively closing the door on Smith’s return.

Caught in limbo during the offseason, Smith admitted, “It’s been an absolutely miserable three-four months, I’m just figuring out what’s next.” That uncertainty finally ended when Front Row Motorsports handed him a chance.

Now part of a refreshed FRM trio alongside Todd Gilliland and Noah Gragson, Smith finds himself competing under a cloud of legal scrutiny. The team, currently locked in an antitrust battle with NASCAR, has been treading carefully after scoring an early legal win.

However, with the pendulum swinging back in NASCAR’s favor, and mounting pressure on 23XI Racing and FRM alike, the road ahead for Smith and his teammates could once again be lined with obstacles.

NASCAR practice results from Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez

The NASCAR Cup Series has unloaded in Mexico for the first time. Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez is set to host the first practice session ahead of Saturday’s qualifying session.

View Mexico practice results below.

Mexico City
Final Practice Results
(Session 2)
June 13, 2025
NASCAR Cup Series

Pos | Driver | Best Time

1. Todd Gilliland
93.496

2. Ross Chastain
93.636

3. Ty Gibbs
93.814

4. Ryan Blaney
93.842

5. Chris Buescher
93.954

6. Ryan Preece
94.012

7. Austin Cindric
94.030

8. Joey Logano
94.040

9. Daniel Suarez
94.049

10. Shane van Gisbergen
94.081

11. Christopher Bell
94.194

12. Chase Elliott
94.237

13. Brad Keselowski
94.310

14. Chase Briscoe
94.333

15. Josh Berry
94.340

16. William Byron
94.342

17. Ricky Stenhouse Jr
94.350

18. Bubba Wallace
94.368

19. Kyle Larson
94.373

20. Austin Dillon
94.402

21. AJ Allmendinger
94.465

22. Erik Jones
94.470

23. Zane Smith
94.482

24. Cole Custer
94.527

25. Michael McDowell
94.528

26. Alex Bowman
94.529

27. Riley Herbst
94.531

28. Kyle Busch
94.532

29. Carson Hocevar
94.566

30. Ty Dillon
94.569

31. Justin Haley
94.597

32. Tyler Reddick
94.793

33. John Hunter Nemechek
94.848

34. Cody Ware
95.268

35. Ryan Truex
95.521

36. Katherine Legge
96.203

Mexico City
Practice Results
(Session 1)
June 13, 2025
NASCAR Cup Series

Pos | Driver | Best Time

1. Michael McDowell
94.024

2. Chase Briscoe
94.136

3. Ty Gibbs
94.141

4. Austin Cindric
94.155

5. Kyle Larson
94.246

6. Chris Buescher
94.258

7. Joey Logano
94.285

8. Ross Chastain
94.338

9. Shane van Gisbergen
94.357

10. Todd Gilliland
94.412

11. Josh Berry
94.476

12. Daniel Suarez
94.479

13. Christopher Bell
94.500

14. Ryan Preece
94.533

15. Kyle Busch
94.607

16. Chase Elliott
94.630

17. Carson Hocevar
94.660

18. Tyler Reddick
94.683

19. Brad Keselowski
94.726

20. Riley Herbst
94.726

21. Noah Gragson
94.749

22. Ryan Blaney
94.749

23. William Byron
94.801

24. Bubba Wallace
94.814

25. Cole Custer
94.820

26. Zane Smith
94.842

27. Erik Jones
94.858

28. John Hunter Nemechek
94.911

29. Alex Bowman
94.951

30. AJ Allmendinger
94.967

31. Justin Haley
95.046

32. Austin Dillon
95.256

33. Ty Dillon
95.280

34. Ricky Stenhouse Jr
95.450

35. Cody Ware
95.787

36. Ryan Truex
95.793

37. Katherine Legge
97.915

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NASCAR

NASCAR held two practice sessions on Friday as Cup drivers and teams learned their way around Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City.

In the first session, drivers quickly found the limits with several locking up and utilizing the run-off area around the road course. Unfortunately for Noah Gragson, he found the outside wall, damaging his No. 4 Front Row Motorsports Ford. The team will be going to a backup car.

Cody Ware and Carson Hocevar also spun out, but both drivers avoided significant damage.

Michael McDowell led the way with a 1:34.024s lap in the No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet, followed by Chase Briscoe, Ty Gibbs, Austin Cindric, and Kyle Larson. 

Michael McDowell, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet

Photo by: Chris Graythen – Getty Images

After a bit of an intermission, a shorter second session got underway. All drivers with the exception of Gragson took part. Gibbs, who ran the most laps in the first session (22), went for a wild spin after bottoming out over the curbs.

Other than that, there were no other notable incidents. Gilliand set the fastest lap of the day in a mock qualifying run with a 1:33.496s lap. Ross Chastain was second on the time sheets, Gibbs third, Ryan Blaney fourth, and Chris Buescher fifth. All of them ran faster than McDowell’s fast time from the first session. 

In this session, a lot more drivers decided to run ten consecutive laps and leading that category in ten-lap averages was Christopher Bell, followed by Chastain and Buescher.

“Hopefully, I can just keep it within the walls of the race track and keep it on blacktop,” Gilliland told NASCAR on Prime after going fastest of all drivers. “That’s always my goal when coming to a road course. But yeah, we’ve had some good speed when it comes to road courses, so it feels really good to be in the ball game with our Ford Mustang. It’s tough with a teammate [Gragson] going to a backup car — our whole team is going to have to pull together. Overall, really happy with our execution of both practices. We made our car a lot better between practices. 

“Made a mock run and I’m not sure how many people made mock runs, to be fair. Still happy with it … Hopefully, we’ll make some more good changes overnight and it’s exciting. Gives me a good feeling going into the next couple of days.”

Daniel Suarez, who is the only Mexican-born driver in the Cup Series field, timed in 12th during the first practice and ninth in the second practice session. 

Daniel Suarez, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet

Photo by: James Gilbert / Getty Images

Practice #1 results

Practice #2 results

MEXICO CITY — Ahead of arguably the biggest race of Daniel Suarez’s Cup career, he will have only five crew members working on his car during today’s two practice sessions because of travel issues involving some of the planes NASCAR chartered.

Crew chief Matt Swiderski told NBC Sports that the No. 99 team has only him, the team’s car chief, interior specialist, engine tuner and tire specialist for today’s sessions. There are 20 people on the crew roster for Suarez’s team.

This weekend marks the inaugural Cup points race at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. Suarez has talked about how much it means to have a Cup points race in his native country. He will be the only Mexican driver in the Cup race.

Suarez is without team members today because two of the flights NASCAR chartered to take Cup and Xfinity teams Thursday to Mexico City were grounded. One had an engine issue at takeoff. Swiderski said he was on that flight.

Swiderski said when a replacement plane arrived, the crew could not continue because they would exceed their hours.

Two planes, carrying NASCAR Cup and Xfinity driver and team members were grounded Friday in Charlotte.

Swiderski said the team went back to the shop and began to prioritize who they needed at the track. Trackhouse Racing got 14 crew members on a private plane. Among those left behind were the engineers. They will not arrive until Saturday so they can be at the shop when Cup practice takes place today. Swiderski said they will borrow spotters from Xfinity teams to help with the practice session.

It’s the debut of NASCAR’s premier circuit on the Autodromos Hermanos Rodriguez.

Swiderski said he got about 90 minutes of sleep before returning to the airport for a flight that left Charlotte, North Carolina, at 5 a.m. ET.

Swiderski noted that with only five people, it will be difficult to make changes throughout the practice as quickly as they would normally do so.

“The speed that you can make changes is a performance gain … making one more run we’ll be a little it slower just being down a couple of guys,” he said.

After practice, Daniel Suarez missing crew members was challenging.

“Definitely today, we’re limping a little bit,” he said. “But I love adversity. I love it. You put me against a wall and I’m going to come out swinging. My team is the same way. I’m good with it.

“This is going to be a better story. We win on Sunday and then we’re going to be laughing, hey, hey, we almost didn’t make practice. I’m OK with it. It’s a shame that it happened. We don’t blame anyone. We just find solutions and we continue to move forward.”