As excitement mounts for NASCAR’s debut Cup Series race in Mexico City next month, Chase Elliott discusses altitude challenge for NASCAR Mexico City race, highlighting how the high elevation at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez could be the most demanding hurdle drivers face. Elliott, the 2020 Cup Series champion and perennial fan favorite, emphasizes that the thin air of Mexico’s capital will set this event apart from any other on the NASCAR schedule.
Elliott Details Concerns Over Racing at High Elevation
NASCAR heads to Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in June for its first points race outside the United States since 1958, and drivers are preparing for a unique test. The Mexico City circuit sits over 7,300 feet above sea level—far higher than any other venue on the Cup calendar, with air that’s expected to affect both cars and competitors physically.
Chase Elliott made his opinions clear when speaking about the physicality of the race.
“I definitely think that it’s going to be different for sure. To what level? I’m not sure. Road courses are always, in my opinion, a little more physical than ovals are, from our standpoint,”
—Chase Elliott, 2020 Cup Series Champion.
Unlike traditional oval races, this road course involves frequent shifts and constant throttle and brake work, placing more strain on drivers in optimal conditions—let alone at such an altitude.
Physical Endurance Will Be Crucial in the Mexican Capital
As Elliott notes, the thinner air can challenge even simple activities, let alone the rigors of a grueling Cup race. He elaborated on the added difficulty drivers will encounter due to the elevation.
“You’re working a lot, shifting and lot of throttle and brake, and all that sort of thing. So, you know that being said, I know for one thing when you go out west and you go climb a flight of stairs, it’s different than climbing a flight of stairs at home, right? I think everybody can attest to that.”
—Chase Elliott, 2020 Cup Series Champion.
With over 2.6 miles of track per lap and limited oxygen, driver stamina will be tested like never before in the Cup Series. Elliott has already started considering changes to his own preparation to ensure he can handle the special demands.
“So, it’s been on my radar a little bit, you know, maybe doing something that will get you in early or something to make sure you’re acclimated well. I can see that being a factor, potentially by the end of the race.”
—Chase Elliott, 2020 Cup Series Champion.
Upcoming Mexico City Race Attracts Intense Anticipation
Interest and excitement are high among fans and teams for the June race, which marks NASCAR’s first official Cup points event in Mexico and the first outside the United States in over six decades. While full details of Elliott’s approach aren’t public, his comments suggest a strategic focus on acclimatization and careful physical preparation for race day.
Other drivers are also taking Mexico City seriously. Christopher Bell, a Joe Gibbs Racing regular, will take an extra step before the Cup race by running the Xfinity Series Chilango 150 at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. He’ll drive for Sam Hunt Racing on June 14 in the No. 24 Toyota, giving himself a chance to experience racing conditions and altitude ahead of the main event.
New Challenges Promise a Landmark Race
The NASCAR Cup Series debut at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez will not only require teams to adjust their car setups for high-altitude performance but also push drivers’ physical conditioning. As Chase Elliott discusses altitude challenge for NASCAR Mexico City race, competitors and fans look forward to a showcase of endurance and innovation in the heart of Mexico City. With elite drivers like Elliott and Christopher Bell making plans to adapt, the June event is shaping up to be a memorable chapter in NASCAR’s international history.
