Joey Logano is preparing for a weekend filled with unfamiliar tests as the NASCAR Cup Series travels to Mexico City’s Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez for a rare points race outside the United States, marking the event’s return after over seventy years. Logano, a key member of Team Penske, emphasized in recent comments that even thorough planning may not shield drivers or crews from surprises at this unique high-altitude venue—a main concern for teams as they approach the weekend.
Challenges Await at Mexico City’s Elevated Track
The focus for Logano and his competitors centers on the distinct atmosphere of Mexico City, where the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez sits at more than 2,200 meters—roughly 7,350 feet—above sea level. This thin air not only saps stamina and makes breathing more taxing for drivers, but also changes the way cars handle, reduces aerodynamic grip, and impacts engine and brake cooling, challenging even the most experienced teams and drivers.
Recalling his recent interview on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Logano openly acknowledged that the unknowns could overshadow the most solid preparations.
“’What lessons are we going to learn the hard way?’ I guess it’s like a question you have to ask yourself and try to be prepared for it the best you can. I think something is probably going to catch us off guard. You try to cover all your bases to where that doesn’t happen. But when something’s this new, you got to assume something is going to just sneak up,”
—Joey Logano, Team Penske driver
Since its construction in 1959 and F1 debut in 1962, the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez has been a fixture in international motorsport. Its 15-turn, 2.43-mile course has not hosted a NASCAR Cup Series points race since before most teams’ lifetimes, and has more recent history with the Xfinity Series, which visited between 2005 and 2008. The combination of a tight layout and altitude brings a host of variables that NASCAR regulars rarely face during a typical season.
Limited Practice Increases Pressure on Drivers
The condensed schedule adds to concerns for Logano and his fellow Cup drivers. Unfamiliar with recent racing at this circuit and faced with only two practice sessions—one lasting 50 minutes and a second for just 25 minutes—the competitors have precious little time to adapt setups, review tire performance, and locate optimal braking and passing points. With so much to learn so quickly, understanding the track emerges as perhaps the most valuable advantage available.
“There’s just a lot to, to try to take in in a short amount of time to try to figure all this stuff out, which I mean, I believe like everyone will, but that’s what makes these new tracks really, really challenging that you’re going to continue to get faster and faster throughout the weekend. Not because the car is getting better. There may be some of that, but a lot of it because you’re getting better as a driver,”
—Joey Logano, Team Penske driver
Logano currently sits ninth in the Cup Series points standings as the Mexico City event approaches. The 100-lap race, scheduled for Sunday, June 15 at 3 p.m. ET, will air live on Amazon Prime Video and is expected to test drivers‘ adaptability and endurance in ways not seen on other stops of the schedule.
Unique Setting Could Influence Season’s Momentum
With major NASCAR names like Joey Logano and organizations such as Team Penske facing the unknown in Mexico City, the results could alter expectations for the rest of the season. Limited preparation and the unfamiliar, high-altitude conditions will challenge teams to adapt quickly and learn on the fly. The experience may also influence strategy decisions and driver confidence as competitors look to make the most out of an atypical race weekend on the NASCAR calendar. As fans tune in on Amazon Prime Video, all eyes will be on how teams manage the unexpected and who emerges with valuable points from the Mexico City challenge.
