Will NASCAR return to Mexico City in 2026?
NASCAR's recent visit to Mexico changed the perception some drivers had of the country and delivered two races full of excitement — something that has been lacking at times in Formula 1 events at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. Despite a thrilling weekend a great enthusiasm from the fans, the future of the event remains uncertain for 2026.
Ben Kennedy, great-grandson of NASCAR founder Bill France and senior NASCAR executive, made it clear that the decision will have to wait, but he has set a deadline for it. This comes after completing the first year of the contract with OCESA, the company organizing the event in Mexico, with whom there is reportedly a three-year agreement—though that will need to be confirmed in the coming months.
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'We had a full contract with an extension option, and I will make a decision in one or two months,' said the executive in Mexico.
There's also the question of Montreal, another potential location for an international race that NASCAR has been looking at for years. It would also be easier to organize, logistically speaking.
Difficult to move Mexico's date
General view
General view
One of the main challenges is the schedule. The Mexico event took place after Michigan and just before Pocono, which meant a long haul over land. Rescheduling the race to be closer to the border is not easy, but it's something NASCAR is working on.
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In addition, available dates at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez are limited. Besides the two already confirmed international events—Formula E in January and Formula 1 in October—there's speculation that IndyCar is ready to take a slot in early 2026. On top of that, concerts are frequently held in various parts of the circuit, reducing scheduling options even further.
'We're working on planning the 2026 calendar," said Kennedy. "As I said, we really want to reconnect with our partners and talk about what the future could look like. We've learned a lot, a lot of great things happened this weekend. We held a worship service and met with fans to hear their reactions. We're very hopeful that we're shaping the future."
He also highlighted key aspects of this visit, including the passion of the fans:
'I spent a lot of time in the stadium section because it was electrifying the entire weekend. As I said, you could see the cars go through the stadium, and every time someone made a pass or had contact, you could hear the fans over the sound of the engines.'
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'I loved the post-race show that OCESA put on. The podium was a bit different from what we're used to, but I think it's a unique aspect—something that sets us apart from other events as well.'
NASCAR's uniqueness
Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing Toyota
Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing Toyota
When asked by Motorsport.com whether he believed there would still be room for NASCAR in 2026—given the large number of motorsport events Mexico will host and the added pressure of IndyCar tightening that calendar—he expressed confidence in NASCAR's product, pointing out that it offers features its competitors do not and that it can still compete for the Mexican audience, even if all series end up running with shorter calendars.
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'I'd say the beauty of our sport lies in the fact that we're unique in many ways, and we try not to compare ourselves to other racing series,' Kennedy said, before highlighting that the show put on by the stock cars in Mexico was unlike anything recently seen at the modern track, which was remodeled in 2015 for Formula 1's return.
'But if anyone watched today's or yesterday's event—whether a new fan or a long-time follower of the sport—they would understand that our racing style is very different. It's bold, aggressive, with three or even four-wide racing heading into Turn 1, and lots of bumping and banging. That's our DNA.'
Read Also:
Despite Mexico win, SVG says "I need to keep getting better to justify" Cup ride
Winners and losers from a historic NASCAR weekend in Mexico
Why Shane van Gisbergen sought Max Verstappen's advice just before dominant NASCAR win
To read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website.
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