Is Kyle going to have to sit this one out? As expected, it was confirmed today that
NASCAR will return to Mexico next year for a Cup Series race at at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez road course in Mexico City on June 15, 2025. NASCAR has raced in Mexico before, with the Xfinity Series taking the track from 2005-2008. And it's well known that NASCAR has been anxious to get to other countries to try to expand the sport's reach in recent years, with rumored races in Canada also being on the table. And with the question of an international race finally answered, there's another question on everybody's minds: Is
Kyle Busch even allowed in Mexico? If you'll remember back to January 2023, the driver of the #8 car for Richard Childress Racing revealed that he had been detained while boarding a plane in Mexico after a handgun was discovered in his bag. At the time, Busch released a statement on the incident:
“In late January, Samantha and I enjoyed a several day vacation in Mexico. When departing the country, my handgun was flagged during routine screening at the airport. I have a valid concealed carry permit from my local authority and adhere to all handgun laws, but I made a mistake by forgetting it was in my bag. Discovery of the handgun led to my detainment while the situation was resolved. I was not aware of Mexican law and had no intention of bringing a handgun into Mexico. When it was discovered, I fully cooperated with the authorities, accepted the penalties, and returned to North Carolina. I apologize for my mistake and appreciate the respect shown by all parties as we resolved the matter. My family and I consider this issue closed.” https://twitter.com/KyleBusch/status/1622716781893767168 According to Mexican authorities, Busch pled guilty to the charges and was sentenced to 3 years and 6 months in prison:
“ The detainee, who is originally from the State of Nevada, intended to travel to the United States of America, but when passing his luggage through the RX of the platform, a caliber pistol-type firearm was detected inside. 380 with magazine stocked with six useful hollow point cartridges. Due to the foregoing, the Agent of the Federal Public Ministry presented it before the Control Judge, on January 29 of this year, who described the detention as legal, linked to the process and through an abbreviated procedure issued a sentence.” And while Busch said he "accepted the penalties" and considered the matter closed, there was no word from either side on whether he would be required to serve his sentence or whether it was suspended in favor of a fine. So the question remains: Is Kyle Busch a Mexican fugitive? After the announcement, many took to Twitter to question whether the driver of the #8 car would be able to enter the country: https://twitter.com/fastrcracer/status/1828430967649800587 https://twitter.com/bobbyjlogan/status/1828135779874545894
Obviously if Mexico is still looking to throw Busch in prison for three and a half years if he enters the country, there's no way that he'll be able to race there in 2025. And there's no doubt that NASCAR would give him a waiver for the race if that were the case: They definitely don't want to force a driver to risk arrest to compete in a race. But according to Bob Pockrass of Fox Sports, that doesn't seem to be the case and Busch will indeed be able to race in Mexico next year: https://twitter.com/bobpockrass/status/1828227316121502019 It sounds like Busch paid a fine to settle his charges in Mexico and will indeed be allowed to race when the sport returns to the country in 2025. But man, imagine the story we could get if he didn't... https://twitter.com/TWOmfnTWO_22/status/1828388639555862532
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