NASCAR hopeful for deserved return to Mexico City in 2026; will INDYCAR join?

MEXICO CITY — The Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez circuit in Mexico City has played host to Formula 1 races for several years. This year, the NASCAR Cup Series made its debut at the facility.

INDYCAR could possibly join the fun in 2026 as both NASCAR and INDYCAR look to increase their North American fan bases.

NASCAR fans look on during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Viva Mexico 250 at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez 

Whether NASCAR returns will be determined in the next couple of months. NASCAR and promoter OCESA must evaluate the first trip of Cup to Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez and the first visit south of the border of any NASCAR national series in 17 years.

It had been 67 years since NASCAR had staged a Cup points race outside the United States.

"We believe that our communities share a spirit of optimism and desire to improve the lives of our people through collaboration and connection," NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps told the drivers prior to the race. "We believe this is particularly true through sports, and in our case, motorsports. We have the honor and responsibility to excite, entertain and unite through our sport, and I know how much putting on a great show means to all of you.

"We hope that NASCAR can continue to foster meaningful relationships here in Mexico for many years to come."

Both NASCAR and INDYCAR have Mexican drivers competing at their highest levels. Daniel Suarez was a fan favorite this past weekend. INDYCAR driver Pato O'Ward — who, like Suarez, is from Monterrey — has a following that is likely double or more than Suarez as Mexican fans tend to follow open-wheel racing.

"We would love to go there," O'Ward said after his second-place INDYCAR finish Sunday at World Wide