INDYCAR: NASCAR’s Bold Move into Mexico and Why It’s a Problem

Indycar driver and Mexico Native Pato O’Ward is shaking his head, trying to figure out how NASCAR beat the organization into Mexico. The NASCAR franchise recently secured a multiyear contract to host cup series races in Mexico City from June 14-15 of the 2025 season at the famed F1 Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez circuit. This will be the first cup series event for the franchise outside the United States, but many Indycar drivers and O’Ward are conflicted about this move. The fear that the franchise’s popularity will become more of a focus makes it hard for Indycar to think about planting seeds internationally.

O’Ward’s popularity would undoubtedly bring attention to the sport as he already racked up a phenomenal Mexican fan base, which seems to have soared even further after his second-place finish in the Indianapolis 500 this past May. Still, it seemed like there was no apparent rush to try to get the sport international. O’Ward felt like the organization had ample time to decide and hoped that fans from across the border would make the trip to the U.S. to watch him race. But are there more significant problems?

What NASCAR’s Bold Move to Mexico Means

Photo byAdrián ValverdeonUnsplash

Since the news hit that the NASCAR franchise beat Indycar into Mexico City, there’s been a lot of skepticism about how this could have happened, given how popular the sport one was in Mexico. After all, the organization made its mark in history in Mexico in the early 2000s, so it only made sense for it to return. Famed Mexican driver Pato O’Ward and fellow racers Scott Dixon and Alex Palou expressed disdain for failing to put the sport back where it once thrived. When asked how he felt about the franchise moving into Mexico, O’Ward stated, “They beat us to the cake.”

He also believed there was no more room for the sport since NASCAR’s takeover and wondered if an international move could be attempted even in the future. Could this be because there is speculation from promoters that Indycar isn’t ready to take this step? Promoters said they would allow the Indycar organization to rent Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. Yet, according to conversations CIE, the most prominent promoter in Latin America, had with Indycar CEO Mark Miles, they claimed they weren’t prepared to invest in the sport.

CIE reasoned that they didn’t feel it was as well known as the NASCAR franchise, nor that Pato O’Ward was ready for it. The promoters said they felt that Indycar didn’t have enough exposure in the market, though they were sure they’d be able to fill an event should one be held there. O’Ward is optimistic and even suggests that Indycar should find a new venue in Mexico if they want a chance at successfully challenging NASCAR’s move. It will definitely be interesting to see how this pans out moving forward.

More Problems For INDYCAR?

Since NASCAR made it to Mexico and plans to hold cup series races starting in 2025, could this be a problem for Indycar aside from the fact that it was beaten to the punch? Pato O’Ward feels this is possible because of where the cup series races are held. The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez was initially slated as an F1 Circuit spanning 4.304 kilometers. It is the most recent track to have been updated in Mexico, making it the ideal place to hold an Indycar race. However, Indycar originally ran in Monterrey, Mexico, from 2001-2006 at the Parque Fundidora.

The track at Parque Funididora is in dire need of repair for the organization to make a comeback, which could take several months or even years. O’Ward has since determined that perhaps a new venue altogether is the only option to bring the sport back to Mexico successfully. Reigning NASCAR Mexico champ and current NTT Series driver Salvador de Alba doesn’t see Indycar at any track in the foreseeable future unless it is built from scratch. With this, there’s speculation that Autódromo Guadalajara may be considered.

The track is in Pato O’Ward’s hometown so it’s understandable that there may be a push for it and it’s obvious he won’t back down until Indycar is back there. The shake-up definitely lit a fire in the Indycar community, from fans to drivers, to see the sport expand, even if it means waiting for improvements to be made to an existing track or constructing a new one. It’s clear the idea is not going anywhere soon and will surely shape Indycar’s future internationally.

Final Thoughts

The looming question seems to be whether the NTT Indycar Series will find its way back into Mexico with Pato O’Ward’s unwavering determination. NASCAR’s sudden move while a shock to some is an exciting move for others. NASCAR has always had it’s sights set high making strides in and outside of the United States, but Indycar still seems to be hanging in the balance at least from its lack of presence in Mexico.

The fear is that the organization will continue hanging on by a thread because it seems like NASCAR has in a way rooted the sport out of where it was once pretty dominant. Pato O’Ward is optimistic and it doesn’t seem like he’ll give up until the series returns to his homeland, and it’s likely he will continue to press the issue with CEO Mark Miles and promoters from CIE Latin America.

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Article originally written by Sarah Talker