Hendrick Motorsports driver Kyle Larson is embracing the unique atmosphere as he and his fellow competitors experience what he calls a “school field trip” during NASCAR’s first Cup Series weekend in Mexico City. Kyle Larson’s enjoyment of the NASCAR field trip in Mexico City sums up the slightly unconventional setup for the drivers as they prepare for the historic race at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
Camaraderie Replaces Comfort for NASCAR Drivers
This weekend, the usual personal comforts have been set aside, as drivers trade in their motorhomes for shared hotel accommodations. Traveling together on shuttles, they attend off-track events as a group, building a sense of camaraderie seldom found during regular race weekends. Instead of isolation, Larson describes an environment more reminiscent of a classroom excursion, where competitors and crew are thrown together, encouraging more interaction away from the racetrack.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve been on a school field trip, but it does feel like that,”
—Kyle Larson, NASCAR Driver
Exploring Culture and Building New Experiences
Participating in group activities, such as a memorable Lucha Libre wrestling event on Friday, has given Larson and the drivers a chance to step away from the rigors of competition and enjoy local culture. These diversions have added to the unconventional nature of this NASCAR outing, with drivers sharing both living and leisure time together away from the familiar haunts of their home base.
“The wrestling (Lucha Libre) thing yesterday was pretty cool,”
—Kyle Larson, NASCAR Driver
Anticipation Builds for a Landmark Race
While Larson is soaking in the new experiences south of the border, he remains focused as Sunday’s race approaches. The seasoned driver admits to some uncertainty about what awaits on the challenging 2.42-mile circuit, yet his eagerness has not dimmed.
“It’s a different-feeling weekend for us here. We don’t have our motorcoaches and all that. We’re all put up in the same place and we have to ride together and ride in shuttles together.”
—Kyle Larson, NASCAR Driver
This rare blend of communal experience and high competition has brought the drivers closer. Interacting outside of their usual environments allows them to forge new bonds and see their rivals in a different light.
“It’s honestly really fun and enjoyable to be around your competitors and get to know each other a bit better. Because on a typical weekend, we just kind of lock ourselves in wherever we’re at, we don’t talk to anybody or anything. So it’s nice that you’re almost forced to hang out with each other and to get to know them,”
—Kyle Larson, NASCAR Driver
For the race itself, Larson will start from the sixth position on the grid as the highest-qualified HMS Chevy. With the lively build-up and a new setting for NASCAR, a victory for Larson would make him the first Cup Series winner in Mexico City, capping off his “field trip” with a historic achievement.
A Weekend That Stands Apart
The NASCAR field trip to Mexico City has provided drivers, including Kyle Larson, with unique challenges and opportunities to connect. The blend of cultural experiences, shared living arrangements, and the thrill of a new venue has made the event stand out. As the green flag nears at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, anticipation mixes with optimism for both the drivers and fans awaiting history to be made in Mexico City.
