The NASCAR Cup Series is heading into uncharted territory with the inaugural Viva México 250, marking the first time in 25 years that a points-paying race will be held outside the United States. The historic event takes place at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City on Sunday, June 15, 2025. But it’s not just national pride and international exposure on the line—$12.5 million in prize money is up for grabs, making this a race with real financial consequences.
For the 37 Cup drivers entered, this 100-lap showdown at the 2.429-mile road course could prove pivotal—not only in championship standings but also in wallet size. From the winning paycheck to how the rest of the pot is split among teams, here’s what fans need to know about what’s fueling the financial fire in Mexico City.
The Overall Purse: $12.56 Million on the Line
Veteran motorsports journalist Bob Pockrass confirmed via social media that the total purse for the 2025 Viva México 250 sits at $12,561,250. This figure includes payouts for all positions, contingency bonuses, and contributions to the season-ending points fund. It also covers charter allocations, ensuring that teams with full-season charters benefit from consistent returns.
This purse isn’t just massive by international standards—it’s one of the largest for a Cup Series race this season. It reflects not only the logistical scale of taking NASCAR’s top tier overseas but also the level of interest from sponsors, media partners, and a growing international fan base.
Comparatively, most regular-season NASCAR Cup races offer a purse in the range of $7–9 million. So the $12.5 million pool signals NASCAR’s commitment to making this event a marquee attraction on the global calendar.
Winner’s Share: How Much Will the Viva México 250 Champion Take Home?
While NASCAR doesn’t officially release individual payouts per finishing position under the modern charter system, Pockrass estimates that the race winner will take home between 8 and 10 percent of the overall purse. That puts the winner’s paycheck somewhere between $1,004,900 and $1,256,125.
That’s comparable to the Daytona 500 or Coca-Cola 600, two of NASCAR’s crown jewel races. For context, the winner of the 2024 Daytona 500 reportedly earned over $1.6 million—so a top-tier payout in Mexico isn’t just ceremonial, it’s competitive.
This kind of payout offers more than bragging rights. It can help teams justify high travel and logistics costs associated with an international race, while also attracting marquee drivers and Cup regulars who want a shot at both history and a massive check.
Charter Teams, Field Breakdown, and the Remaining Payout
With 37 cars entered in the Viva México 250, the bulk of the remaining $11+ million in the purse will be distributed to teams based on a combination of finishing position, charter status, and season-long performance. The charter system, introduced in 2016, guarantees revenue to teams with full-time entries and has effectively replaced NASCAR’s previous purse-by-position model.
That means:
Chartered teams receive a larger, guaranteed share.
Non-charter teams—if any—must outperform expectations to secure meaningful returns.
Contingency bonuses and stage wins can boost a team’s total payout beyond their final race position.
For the Viva México 250, where the field will be shaped by a mix of seasoned Cup drivers and international talent, the financial stakes are massive. A mid-pack result here could still be highly lucrative, especially for teams that secured additional sponsorships for this landmark event.
The prize money, of course, is just one piece of the equation. Exposure on Prime Video—the official broadcaster for the weekend—offers additional promotional opportunities for teams and sponsors alike.
News in Brief: NASCAR Mexico Prize Money
The Viva México 250 isn’t just a novelty on the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series calendar—it’s a high stakes, high-reward showdown that represents the sport’s expanding footprint. With a purse of $12.5 million, top drivers and teams are motivated to bring their A-game—not only for victory, but for a payday that rivals the sport’s biggest stages.
ALSO READ: Who’s Racing in Mexico? NASCAR Xfinity Series Unveils Star-Studded 39-Car Entry List
