Chase Briscoe discusses high altitude NASCAR Mexico City challenge as the Cup Series prepares for its debut at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez on June 15, an event where nearly all drivers face a rare test: racing at over 7,000 feet above sea level. The elevation of Mexico City, more than 2,000 feet higher than Denver, raises critical questions for drivers and teams about physical demands and car performance under thin air conditions.
Uncharted Territory for NASCAR Cup Drivers
The upcoming Viva Mexico 250 represents a level playing field since most Cup drivers have neither raced at the famed Mexico City road course nor visited the city before. Chase Briscoe has taken the initiative to research and warn competitors about one key environmental factor—reduced air—prompting discussions amongst teams about how best to prepare for the new challenge.
Mexico City’s elevation at 7,350 feet, almost a mile and a half above sea level, is a dramatic shift from typical NASCAR tracks. In contrast, Denver’s “Mile High City” status puts it at 5,280 feet. The thinner air up in Mexico City does not just make breathing harder, it places added stress on the Cup cars’ engines, lowering how much power motors can produce due to decreased air intake.
To counter these effects, NASCAR teams are making adjustments by bringing oxygen supplies, breathing aids for drivers, and simulating reduced air intake for the engines as part of their race preparations. These mechanical and physiological preparations highlight the unknowns the Cup Series faces as it returns to Mexico City for the first time since Xfinity Series races ended there in 2008.
Drivers Voice Uncertainty About the Altitude
Chase Briscoe, in a pre-race interview before the Coca-Cola 600, expressed deep uncertainty about how the elevation will affect him and the rest of the field.
“It is something truly I don’t understand, how bad or indifferent it’s going to be,”
Briscoe said during a session with reporters prior to last weekend’s race. —Chase Briscoe, NASCAR Driver
Briscoe explained that even racing simulators indicate a significant loss of power at higher altitudes—tellingly, the virtual Cup car cannot spin its tires in first gear because of the oxygen deficit. Real-world preparation has become a guessing game for Briscoe, who has trained off-track but remains unsure if his efforts are the right approach.
He pointed to his previous high-altitude experience snowmobiling in Park City, Utah, saying,
“The only time I’ve even been in elevation has been snowmobiling in Park City, Utah (just over 7,000 feet above sea level). I remember it being way hard to breathe and stuff. I think it is going to be different, but I don’t know what to expect till I get there.”
—Chase Briscoe, NASCAR Driver
To get ahead of potential issues, Briscoe and many other teams plan to arrive in Mexico City days in advance, giving themselves extra time to acclimate. Briscoe admitted to discussing his nerves with his wife, stating,
“I was talking to my wife just this week that I don’t know if I will get there and get done with practice and be like, man, I should have been doing a lot more or am I going to get there and be like I’ve been doing overkill these last two months just trying to get ready for this, I don’t know,”
Briscoe said. —Chase Briscoe, NASCAR Driver
Teams Employ Varied Strategies to Prepare
Early arrival to Mexico City could provide teams with an adjustment period, but drivers and crew chiefs still face uncertainty about whether such plans will offer a real advantage. Briscoe noted the split in preparation approaches:
“It’s going to be an advantage or a huge disadvantage for the guys that aren’t doing stuff,”
he said, referencing drivers participating in specialized breathing exercises and high-altitude training. —Chase Briscoe, NASCAR Driver
“I’ve definitely been doing stuff to prepare. I just don’t know if it is going to apply,”
Briscoe added, underlining his conflicted state over whether his efforts will pay off in the unique environment. —Chase Briscoe, NASCAR Driver
Pressed for specifics, Briscoe declined to elaborate, saying,
“I don’t want to give away any secrets,”
he said with a laugh. —Chase Briscoe, NASCAR Driver
He acknowledged that,
“Toyota has put together a plan for the Toyota drivers at least, and we are all doing relatively the same thing. I’m definitely interested to see how it all plays out.”
—Chase Briscoe, NASCAR Driver
Concerns Extend Across Teams and Manufacturers
The looming question of altitude’s impact is not limited to Toyota-affiliated drivers. Chase Elliott, driving a Chevrolet, also voiced trepidation about the physical demands that await on the Mexico City road course.
“Road courses are always a little more physical than ovals are,”
Elliott explained, noting the greater workload of shifting gears, accelerating, and braking required on twisty circuits. —Chase Elliott, NASCAR Driver
Elliott underscored the real-world effects of altitude that everyone can relate to:
“With 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? And I think everybody can attest to that it’s been at a higher elevation,”
Elliott concluded. —Chase Elliott, NASCAR Driver
The range of responses from drivers such as Briscoe and Elliott reveals the level of uncertainty and anxious anticipation within the Cup Series paddock. With the Mexico City event looming, teams embrace a mix of physical training, engineering changes, and early acclimatization, though none can say for sure what tactics will be most effective.
Anticipated Challenges and Potential Impact on NASCAR Cup Debut
The high-altitude challenge of Mexico City is poised to test the limits of drivers and machines in ways unseen in typical NASCAR Cup events. As the first Cup Series appearance at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez approaches, all eyes will be on which driver and team adapts best to adverse conditions. The race will not only determine a victor on track, but it will also shape future team strategies for performance and driver health when NASCAR ventures beyond its familiar altitudes.
