In a historical first, NASCAR Cup Series teams are set to journey from Michigan to Mexico City this June, marking the first international Cup Series point race in over six decades. This logistical marathon begins with the Michigan race on June 8, followed by the event in Mexico City on June 15, and concludes with a northeast trip to Pocono Raceway the subsequent week.
The Mexico City race will take place on the challenging 17-turn, 2.674 miles long Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez road circuit. The task of transporting teams and equipment from one location to another is daunting. NASCAR senior vice president of racing development and strategy, Ben Kennedy, expressed the need for meticulous planning to ensure a seamless transition from Michigan to Laredo, Texas, and finally Mexico City.
Previous experience with the Xfinity Series in Mexico City about 15 years ago has provided a handy playbook, while strategies employed for Formula 1 races have also proved valuable. Teams will have a predetermined location in Texas for parking and swapping out inventory, with Friday designated as the unloading day at the Mexico City track.
June’s event will see Mexico City hosting both the Xfinity Series and Cup Series, the first time since 2008 for the Xfinity Series. The magnitude of hosting both F1 and NASCAR is comparable, according to Rodrigo Sanchez, director of marketing, media, and PR at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. His team is diligently working to ensure the safe and timely arrival and departure of all parties involved.
Rock-It-Cargo, a renowned logistics company that has handled major events such as Taylor Swift’s tours, WWE’s Saudi Arabia visit, and multiple Olympic games, is stepping in to assist with transportation. Sanchez praised the company’s expertise in security and logistics, confident that their experience will help avoid any potential hiccups.
In a move to generate buzz around the upcoming races, a media event was held coinciding with the ticket sales launch. NASCAR stars such as Chase Elliott, Christopher Bell, Ryan Blaney, and Daniel Suarez were present. Early indications suggest a potential sell-out event, with over 40,000 fans pre-registering for tickets. Sanchez expressed excitement over the overwhelming interest from the U.S., predicting a substantial national demand once ticket sales officially begin.
Such a monumental event in NASCAR history represents a logistical challenge of epic proportions, but with careful planning and the right team, it is a challenge that is confidently being met head-on. This historic international Cup Series point race is set to make waves in the racing world, with fans eagerly awaiting the kick-off in June.
