NASCAR Xfinity Series Chilango 150 In Mexico City Preview

After seventeen years, the NASCAR Xfinity Series returns to the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez for the Chilango 150. Who can master the 15 turns in Mexico City? Read all about this Saturday’s race before the cars hit the track.

NASCAR Xfinity Series Chilango 150 at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez Preview

Last time we saw Xfinity Series cars on track in Mexico City, Kyle Busch had just joined Joe Gibbs Racing. He only had 13 previous victories in the series. He won his fourteenth race the last year, the Series raced in Mexico City.

Today, as the Xfinity Series makes its return seventeen years later, Kyle Busch has 102 victories and drives for Richard Childress Racing.

Who can add their names to the list of winners at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez with Kyle Busch, Martin Truex, Denny Hamlin, and Juan Pablo Montoya?

Race Preview:

The Chilango 150 at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez is a 158-mile, 65-lap race around the 15-turn, 2.42-mile road course in Mexico City. There will be stage cautions on laps 20 and 40, with the checkered flag flying on lap 65. A total of $2,151,939 is available to finishers of the race.

Teams will have 6 sets of tires to use in qualifying and during the race. The tires are the same road-course tires used at previous tracks this season. In addition to the normal racing slick tires, Goodyear has brought the wet-weather racing tires. Teams will have 4 sets of wets, 3 sets being for the race.

Mexico City poses a new challenge to the Xfinity Cars: altitude. Charlotte, where most of the teams are based, is at 750 feet above sea level. Mexico City is at 7,300 feet above sea level. Air is thinner, putting strain on the drivers and cars. Can they physically handle the race? And could the new performance characteristics of the car become a factor in the race?

The Track: Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez

The Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez broke ground in 1959 as a Formula 1 track. It has hosted F1 24 times in the past. The NASCAR Xfinity Series first raced at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in 2005, the first race outside of the United States for Xfinity. The track and its altitude created unique challenges for the teams, allowing for only the best to conquer it. From 2005 to 2008, it hosted Xfinity, until the logistics and cost of racing in Mexico City became too much for teams.

The four previous winners are Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, Juan Pablo Montoya, and Martin Truex Jr. The 2025 race will be held on a different layout than what was previously run, so the track record is up for grabs.

Xfinity Series Point Standings:

Here are the Xfinity Series points following the Nashville Race:

1. Justin Allgaier: 583
2. Austin Hill: 491
3. Sam Mayer: 473
4. Jesse Love: 432
5. Connor Zilisch *: 395
6. Sheldon Creed: 381
7. Carson Kvapil *: 380
8. Brandon Jones: 379
9. Jeb Burton: 365
10. Ryan Sieg: 365

Read More: Justin Allgaier Scores Big in Nashville Xfinity Series Race

Drivers Joining The Xfinity Series This Weekend:

With this race being so big, many drivers are joining the field. Daniel Suarez will drive the #9 for Junior Motorsports. Ty Gibbs will pilot the #19, and Christopher Bell will be in the #20 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing. NASCAR Mexico Series champion Ruben Rovelo will drive the #35 Chevy for Joey Gase Motorsports. Brad Perez, crew member for Alpha Prime Racing with tons of road racing experience, will drive the #45 Chevy for that team. Andres Perez, who graduated from the Mexico Series into the Truck Series, will drive the #91 for DGM Racing.

Who Will Win?

When I look at who wins this race, I am looking at several factors. Experience on this road course, physicality, and equipment. I think Daniel Suarez has the best shot at winning this race. He is familiar with this track, the altitude, and has a great ride in the #9 Camaro from JRM. He is the lone Mexican driver in the Cup, and I think this weekend will be a huge moment for Suarez. It is for sure Suarez’s race to lose.

Ty Gibbs is in the field for this race. He won his first-ever Xfinity race on the Daytona road-course and beat Kyle Larson at Road America. I think the small factor that he has never raced here before won’t turn me away from picking Gibbs as a potential winner this Saturday.

Connor Zilisch has been the talk of the road courses all season. Won on debut at Watkins Glen, and another victory on the road-course at Circuit Of The Americas. He has raced all over the world and I think we could see another Zilisch win on Saturday.

Read More: Connor Zilisch Overcomes Penalty to Win COTA Xfinity Series Race

How To Watch The Xfinity Series at Mexico City:

Here is the schedule for Saturday’s Chilango 150 at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez:

Saturday, June 13th:

• Practice
  • 11:05 AM Eastern
  • Coverage is on the CW App
• Qualifying
  • 12:10 AM Eastern
  • Coverage continues on the CW App
• The Chilango 150 
  • 4:30 PM Eastern
  • Coverage switches to the CW, alongside radio coverage on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Stay Connected to Last Word on Motorsports for NASCAR’s Exciting Weekend in Mexico City

Main Photo: IMAGO, Icon Sportswire

Recording Date: 03/04/2007