For the first time since 2008, NASCAR is racing in Mexico City—and this time, it’s not just the Xfinity Series making the trip. The NASCAR Cup Series joins the action for the first-ever Viva Mexico 250, marking a historic milestone in the sport’s international expansion. The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, a track known for its technical layout and electric atmosphere, will host both the Cup and Xfinity Series in a weekend filled with anticipation, international pride, and high-speed drama.
Here’s everything fans need to know about the upcoming race weekend, including the complete schedule, notable entries, and key storylines from both series.
Friday Practice: A Two-Series Shakedown
Friday, June 13, will kick off the on-track activity with four practice sessions, giving drivers valuable time to adapt to the 2.67-mile road course.
1:05 p.m. ET – Cup Series Practice #1 (Prime Video)
2:05 p.m. ET – Xfinity Series Practice #1 (CW App)
3:05 p.m. ET – Cup Series Practice #2 (Prime Video)
3:30 p.m. ET – Xfinity Series Practice #2 (CW App)
For Cup Series drivers, these sessions are critical. This is their first time racing at this venue, and track time will be essential to fine-tune setups, especially through the chicanes and tight corners that define the course. For the Xfinity Series, which hasn’t raced here since 2008, most of the field is unfamiliar with the layout, making the practice sessions just as important.
Saturday’s Spotlight: Qualifying and The Chilango 150
Saturday, June 14, delivers a full slate of competitive action, with qualifying in the morning and the Xfinity Series race in the afternoon.
10:30 a.m. ET – Xfinity Series Qualifying (CW App)
12:00 p.m. ET – Cup Series Qualifying (Prime Video)
4:30 p.m. ET – Xfinity Series Race: The Chilango 150 (CW Network)
All 39 cars entered in the Xfinity event will make the race thanks to two additional international provisionals granted for this special weekend. The race, The Chilango 150, marks the 15th race of the 2025 Xfinity season.
Mexican-born drivers Daniel Suárez and Andrés Pérez De Lara are among the biggest stories heading into Saturday’s event. Suárez will drive the No. 9 JR Motorsports Chevrolet, while Pérez De Lara suits up for DGM Racing in the No. 91. Add in names like Ty Gibbs, Christopher Bell, and Justin Allgaier, and fans are in for a tightly contested, star-studded race.
Sunday Showdown: Cup Series Makes Mexico Debut
Sunday, June 15, brings the historic Viva Mexico 250, the 16th event on the NASCAR Cup Series calendar. The green flag is scheduled to wave at 3:00 p.m. ET, and fans can catch it on Prime Video and Max (via NASCAR Driver Cam).
The 37-car field includes:
Denny Hamlin, fresh off a win at Michigan, returning in the No. 11 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing
Daniel Suárez, the only Mexican-born driver in the Cup field, representing Trackhouse Racing with Telcel-Infinitum sponsorship
Katherine Legge, running the No. 78 Chevrolet for Live Fast Motorsports as the weekend’s only “Open” (non-chartered) entry
With tight corners and long straights, Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez will challenge even the most seasoned road course racers. The weekend also marks a big moment for international sponsors and fans, as NASCAR aims to strengthen its global presence.
Who to Watch: Stars, Underdogs, and Hometown Heroes
This weekend’s entry lists are packed with star power across both series:
Cup Series Highlights:
Kyle Larson, Joey Logano, and Chase Elliott bring top-tier road course experience.
Daniel Suárez, racing on home soil, will be one of the most watched drivers all weekend.
Shane van Gisbergen, known for his street course prowess, will drive the No. 88 Trackhouse Chevrolet.
Xfinity Series Highlights:
Justin Allgaier, winner at Nashville, looks to keep momentum in the No. 7 Chevrolet.
Ty Gibbs and Christopher Bell, both Cup regulars, add major depth to the Xfinity lineup.
Brad Perez, Sage Karam, and Connor Zilisch are among the road course specialists who could pull off surprise runs.
Additionally, NASCAR fans in Mexico will be pulling for Andrés Pérez De Lara, one of the most promising young drivers from the region, making a special start on home turf.
News in Brief: NASCAR Mexico City Full Schedule
The return to Mexico City is more than a race—it’s a bridge between NASCAR’s American roots and its international aspirations. From Friday’s practice sessions to Sunday’s checkered flag, fans can expect a full weekend of high-stakes competition, historic moments, and passionate fanfare.
This marks a key chapter in NASCAR’s efforts to grow globally, and the performances of drivers like Daniel Suárez and Andrés Pérez De Lara will only deepen the sport’s connection with the Mexican audience.
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