NASCAR Xfinity Series at Mexico City

History

Much attention was directed towards this race, as it was the first NASCAR points-paying race outside the United States since 1958. The only recent international races for NASCAR had been those at the Suzuka Circuit and Twin Ring Motegi (1996–1998) in Japan, but the races were non-points-paying exhibition races. In 1952, NASCAR sanctioned points-paying races on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls.

The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez track is a very popular track for open-wheel racing such as Formula One and Champ Car. However, some adjustments were necessary to adapt the course for stock cars. The most significant alteration involved the introduction of a chicane on the pit straight. Additionally, a link was incorporated to bypass Curva Héctor Rebaque, instead integrating a sweeping curve between the track's short circuit curve and Ese del Lago. This modification was prompted by the intensified braking demands of the heavier stock cars.

In the inaugural event, ticket sales were good, and fans packed the track after the announcement that several local drivers would drive NASCAR entries normally driven by other drivers. Among them were open-wheel star Adrián Fernández, Jorge Goeters, Mara Reyes (a female driver), Carlos Contreras, and Michel Jourdain Jr. who had just moved to NASCAR from Champ Car. The race also marked the first time that NASCAR had run a Busch Series race on a road course since 2001. In 2006, Denny Hamlin took his first Busch Series win with an impressive performance at the track. Road-course ringer Boris Said made another fine visit to take second place after providing Hamlin with his stiffest challenge. In 2007, Juan Pablo Montoya took his first Busch Series win.

In the 2008 race, the race was renamed the Corona Mexico 200. Kyle Busch passed Scott Pruett with 7 laps to go to win the race.

In the return race in 2025, known as the Chilango 150 Mexico native Daniel Suárez would survive a huge incident and would hold off Taylor Gray to earn the win.

On July 30, 2025, The Athletic reported that NASCAR would not return to Mexico City in 2026, citing the scheduling challenge the June date presented due to Mexico City serving as a host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Athletic also reported that NASCAR attempted to find a different date in the 2026 schedule, but eventually decided to focus on finding the event a date on the 2027 schedule.

Layouts used

File:Mexico City NASCAR 2005.png|The track layout from 2005–2006. File:Mexico City NASCAR 2007.png|The track layout from 2007–2008.

Past winners

• 2007: Race extended due to NASCAR overtime.

References

References

1. [http://www.thatsracin.com/247/story/16914.html NASCAR Removes Mexico City From Schedule] {{webarchive. link. (2008-07-29)
2. (August 27, 2024). "Mexico City added to NASCAR schedule in 2025".
3. "NASCAR's top 10 international moments".
4. Bianchi, Jordan. (July 30, 2025). "Mexico City is out for NASCAR’s 2026 schedule; Chicagoland likely in: Sources". [[New York Times]].
5. "2005 Telcel Motorola 200 Presented by Banamex". Racing-Reference.
6. "2006 Telcel-Motorola 200 Presented by Banamex". Racing-Reference.
7. "2007 Telcel-Motorola Mexico 200". Racing-Reference.
8. "2008 Corona Mexico 200 Presented by Banamex". Racing-Reference.
9. "2025 The Chilango 150". Racing-Reference.