NASCAR race in Mexico City worth extra effort to grow the sport

ADVERTISEMENT

–>

Racing at Mexico City will be an event, much like racing at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum or the streets of Chicago.

Are there security concerns? Sure. Just as there were when NASCAR raced in Chicago and other places. For context, an off-duty cop was shot in an attempted robbery of the Kansas Speedway vault in 2006. 

Mexican-born NASCAR Cup Series driver Daniel Suarez ahead of FireKeepers Casino 400 <!–>

–>

Are there other tracks in the United States where NASCAR could race? Sure. But the tracks that could grow the sport to a new fan base are few and far between. 

The ones that could generate excitement among the NASCAR faithful — think Bowman-Gray and Rockingham — both held races this year. Albeit, those races were the exhibition clash at Bowman-Gray and an Xfinity–truck doubleheader at Rockingham.

Are there some sponsors where racing in Mexico doesn’t reach their customer? Sure, at least if they don’t do business in Mexico. But part of racing in Mexico is about generating excitement about Mexicans who live in the United States for the NASCAR product. That should also increase the exposure of current sponsors.

Are there logistical hurdles? Sure. Hauler manifests are complicated. NASCAR is chartering planes to fly much of the industry as a whole in order to make sure all the teams get there with no safety or logistical issues.

So that sounds a lot for a NASCAR race. And it is.

But sometimes it takes a heavy lift to move the needle. Many of the same concerns were talked about around the Chicago race and so far, those have been relatively smooth — except for the weather.

I went to the NASCAR Xfinity races in Mexico from 2005 through 2008. They were fun. I loved going to the country and experiencing the culture. I also enjoy a trip to Watkins Glen or the Darlington area or Las Vegas. They are all different and all have unique aspects that fans can appreciate.

Same with Mexico City.

For those who love NASCAR and contend that it has the best racing in the world, then what better way to prove that than taking it across the border? What better way to expose the drivers? A Netflix Series won’t work for everyone, and seeing the real thing on someone’s home soil can potentially do wonders.

Speaking of that, this puts NASCAR at the same venue as Formula 1. Hopefully INDYCAR goes there next year, too. 

So for all those who want to spew insults about our neighbors and want to hate, go ahead. There’s nothing stopping you.

But sometimes you have to do something out of the comfort zone — out of the norm — to grow the sport. This is one of those times. Will it work? There’s never a guarantee. But it’s certainly worth the effort to try.

Bob Pockrass covers NASCAR and INDYCAR for FOX Sports. He has spent decades covering motorsports, including over 30 Daytona 500s, with stints at ESPN, Sporting News, NASCAR Scene magazine and The (Daytona Beach) News-Journal. Follow him on Twitter @bobpockrass.

<!–>

Get more from NASCAR Cup Series Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

–>

This news was originally published on this post .

Share on

email

Previous

trending_flat

Sean McVay on what to expect from the Los Angeles Rams revamped offense | The Herd

nfl

Next

Brasil x Cuba pela VNL 2025: onde assistir e horário do jogo de vôlei masculino

Sports