As NASCAR heads to Mexico City for a challenging race at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Zane Smith discusses brake strategy for NASCAR Mexico City race, focusing on how drivers and teams must adjust to the high-altitude conditions. The event brings unique mechanical and physical tests for competitors, as they confront a new circuit with limited track time.
NASCAR Teams Prepare for a New Circuit and Its Unknowns
With the NASCAR Cup Series making its debut at Mexico City’s Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, drivers are facing the challenges that come with an unfamiliar track. Limited practice opportunities add further uncertainty, leaving many unanswered questions ahead of the main race. Zane Smith of Front Row Motorsports addressed the press about his approach, drawing lessons from his experience at the Circuit of the Americas, where a previous setup led to a disappointing 29th-place finish.
Learning from that result, Smith and his crew crafted a brand new car setup tailored for Mexico City’s conditions. Expressing his optimism and excitement, Smith said,
I really like how my car has been driving. I think the road course is awesome. It’s gonna be a lot of fun. Obviously, the altitude is gonna be a little bit different from an engine feel. I’ve heard and I definitely can see that being the case.
—Zane Smith, Driver
The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, at 7,500 feet above sea level, presents a fresh test for everyone. Smith emphasized the significance of developing the right brake setup for the unique environment, stating,
I don’t want to say brake issues, but what brake package you have is going to be very interesting,
—Zane Smith, Driver
Success will depend on how quickly teams and drivers adapt their cars to these demanding conditions, making on-track adjustments and maximizing practice sessions absolutely crucial. Smith is especially eager as he heads to Mexico, aiming to secure his third top-10 finish this season.
Altitude Challenges: Engine Performance and Driver Adaptation
Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez stands out as the highest-elevation road course ever used in Cup Series history, raising stakes for both vehicle setup and driver preparation. Engines are expected to deliver notably less horsepower due to thinner air, while cooling systems may face additional hurdles as water boils at lower temperatures under such conditions. These factors together demand careful planning from teams such as Front Row Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing.
Physical demands will also escalate for participants. Joe Gibbs Racing’s Chase Briscoe has taken unconventional steps to prepare, including adjustment to altitude using a hyperbaric chamber at home. Briscoe described his experience,
If we get to Mexico and all that was a waste of time, I’ll just be in the dog house. You get good sleep because you’re not getting woken up by the kids, but it’s like 90 degrees in this tent. It smells like straight-up plastic,
—Chase Briscoe, Driver
Christopher Bell and other drivers have taken similar measures, recognizing that personal adaptation could influence performance as much as mechanical fine-tuning. The outcome of these efforts remains uncertain until racing begins.
What’s at Stake as NASCAR Competes in Mexico City
This weekend’s event in Mexico City offers teams and drivers, including Zane Smith and his colleagues such as Christopher Bell and Chase Briscoe, an unprecedented challenge. Adaptability—both in terms of car setup for high elevation and in personal endurance—will likely separate contenders from the rest. With victory on the line in a historic setting, drivers will need to make every practice lap, technical adjustment, and strategic decision count as they compete at a track that pushes both engines and humans to their limits.
