Ryan Blaney aims for historic NASCAR win in Mexico as the NASCAR Cup Series prepares to race at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City on June 15, marking its first event in the country and drawing overwhelming excitement from local motorsport fans. Blaney, fresh off a recent win in Nashville, is enthusiastic about the new challenge and the chance to make history in front of a crowd eager to welcome the sport to their city.
Blaney Prepares to Make His Mark in Mexico
The upcoming Viva Mexico 250 at the iconic Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez represents a milestone for both NASCAR and drivers like Ryan Blaney. After his victory at Nashville last week, Blaney is set to face a fresh challenge on the 2.674-mile twisting road course nestled in the heart of Mexico City. The event signals the first time the NASCAR Cup Series will compete south of the border, and anticipation is running high among fans and drivers alike. Blaney’s recent interactions with racing supporters and members of the press confirm the vibrant energy building up to the event.
During a recent media session at Michigan International Speedway, Blaney shared,
“I think the atmosphere is gonna be fantastic,”
—Ryan Blaney, Driver. He described traveling to Mexico months ago with fellow drivers including Chase Elliott, Christopher Bell, and native Mexican driver Daniel Suarez, emphasizing the positive reception from locals.
“One of the biggest things I noticed about it was every single media member that was there at the press conference, all the fans walking around, they were very excited for us to come this summer, so that part of it I’m really looking forward to.”
—Ryan Blaney, Driver.
Embracing the Unique Energy of Mexico City
For Blaney and his colleagues, racing in Mexico means more than adapting to a new track. The vibrant culture, diverse cuisine, and a motorsport-loving community promise an unforgettable experience. Local spectators, who typically follow Formula One or NASCAR Mexico, are ready to fill the 110,000-seat stadium, with a sellout expected. The warm reception from residents made a strong impression on Blaney, who said,
“You never really know what kind of welcome you’re gonna get when you go to a new place anywhere in general. Seeing their excitement really makes us feel good about the fact they’re excited for us to come down and put on a good show. I think it’s gonna be a great hit. I’m really excited to get there next week and it should be a fun one. It should be good.”
—Ryan Blaney, Driver.
As a proven road course competitor, Blaney wasted no opportunity to prepare, drawing on firsthand experience of the venue from a prior visit and supplementing it with simulator laps and analysis of the track’s features. The preparation underlines his determination to not just compete, but to excel at the monumental NASCAR Cup debut in Mexico.
Detailed Insights Into the Challenging Track
Breaking down the nuances of the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Blaney is optimistic about the competitive racing expected on the circuit. He remarked,
“I think it will race really well, honestly,”
—Ryan Blaney, Driver. He pointed out the various passing opportunities such as into Turn 1 off the long front straight, Turn 4, and a series of flowing ‘esses’ that will test the drivers‘ skills and strategies.
Blaney further described unique elements on the track, stating,
“Then there’s another braking zone into the stadium, a right-hander that I think you’re gonna see some moves, and then in the stadium there’s a really, really tight left-hander. It’s super tight and it requires a big arc to run it properly, but you’re gonna have guys kind of short cut it and dive in there, almost like the new (Charlotte Motor Speedway) Roval turn.”
—Ryan Blaney, Driver. He concluded his assessment with,
“So there’s at least four and then we always find funky ones through there to try to catch people by surprise, so I think it’s gonna race very well.”
—Ryan Blaney, Driver.
At just 31 years old, the Ohio native praised the layout, sharing his impression of the meticulously designed course.
“I like the track layout. I think they did a really good job on it. It has all different aspects from high-speed straightaways, really heavy braking zones, flowy sections, and then like your really slow stadium section. I think it has all pieces of road courses that we run kind of mashed into one, so I think it looks like a great racetrack.”
—Ryan Blaney, Driver.
Anticipation Builds for a Landmark Event
The stage is set for an event that not only introduces the Cup Series to a new international location but also brings the possibility for historic outcomes. Should Blaney prevail next Sunday, he would not only become the first Cup Series winner on Mexican soil but also likely stand atop an Olympic-style podium—another first for NASCAR, echoing traditions from Formula One. Alongside Daniel Suarez who brings local knowledge and fans, and seasoned competitors like Chase Elliott and Christopher Bell, the driver lineup is ready to make racing history in front of an enormous and passionate crowd.
The Viva Mexico 250 is expected to strike a chord with hundreds of thousands of racing fans in the region, blending American stock car racing flair with the exuberance of Mexico City. Blaney’s preparations and enthusiasm, matched by the local fans’ anticipation, hint at a race that could leave a lasting impact on the sport and open doors for future international NASCAR events.
