The NASCAR Cup Series race at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City turned chaotic on Sunday, after heavy rain contributed to a dramatic wreck early in the contest. The incident, involving ex-Cup champions Kyle Busch and Kyle Larson, occurred on the sixth lap, reshaping the race’s outlook and affecting multiple top contenders as Kyle Larson wrecked in NASCAR Mexico City chaos.
Shane van Gisbergen ultimately dominated the event with a commanding 17-second victory, but it was the multi-car crash that stole headlines. The confusion stemmed from Turn 1, where track conditions deteriorated rapidly under rain, setting the stage for a high-stakes gamble by several experienced drivers.
Chain Reaction Crash Disrupts Main Field
Kyle Busch, driving the No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet, was aggressive through the damp turns, surfing through heavy spray as the rain intensified. As Busch entered Turn 1, his car hydroplaned unexpectedly, setting off a violent sequence that initiated a pileup involving several top names.
Busch’s slide sent him crashing into the cars of Kyle Larson, Justin Haley, and AJ Allmendinger. The impact was severe and immediate, leaving all three drivers scrambling while others attempted to avoid further entanglement. Chase Briscoe and Zane Smith were also ensnared by the spinning machines, cutting off their forward momentum and placing early pressure on their race strategies.
While a few of the drivers managed to rejoin the pack swiftly, both Busch and Larson suffered substantial damage. Kyle Busch, who triggered the chaos, was forced to retire from the event. Meanwhile, Hendrick Motorsports worked desperately to repair Larson’s car, requiring almost half of the race before getting him back on track, but any chance of a strong finish vanished.
Driver Reactions and Accountability After the Crash
Kyle Busch was quick to reflect on the incident, providing a candid account of his experience in the treacherous conditions. He described entering the turn, finding the grip quite adequate on the previous lap, and misjudged the changing grip in the rain, leading to the catastrophic outcome.
“Just in the rain, I went down into (Turn) 11 and got on the brakes pretty hard and everything was fine. Everything was comfortable, it stopped really good, and I thought okay, I can be a little bit more aggressive this time. Getting back into one and went to the 10 marker, if there is a 10 marker, it’s the bridge, and we’ve been going much past the bridge all day on dries and so wet, I figured it’s going to be fine.”
—Kyle Busch, via Motorsports.com
Busch acknowledged responsibility for the chaos, stating that once he pressed the brakes, his car reacted as if it were sliding on ice. The split second of uncertainty left him with no option but to attempt a desperate maneuver, hoping to minimize the damage to his fellow competitors.
“As soon as I went to the brakes, it was just on ice, and I was sliding, and so about a second and a half or so, I was just trying to figure out which direction to go, and then I was like, I’ve got to turn this thing around backwards because I’m going to nail some people. So, I hate it for all those that were involved in my mishap there…”
—Kyle Busch
By owning up to the error in judgment, Busch demonstrated an understanding of the wider implications for his rivals and his own Richard Childress Racing crew. The sudden loss of control saw a promising race unravel for both him and other championship hopefuls.
Impact on Teams and the Season Ahead
In further comments, Busch expressed intense disappointment for his team, echoing the frustrations felt by Richard Childress Racing, ECR, and their sponsors. Their expectations had been high following a strong qualifying round; however, the rain offered a cruel twist that derailed their aspirations for the week.
“Hate it for Lucas Oil, and of course, RCR, ECR, the guys. I mean, the car yesterday in qualifying was really good, it felt like we were going to be really sporty in the dry. I hate that the rain came, and now it’s nice and dry, so just have to go fight for more points in another week.”
—Kyle Busch
Busch and his team now look toward a demanding stretch of four consecutive road course events, each offering opportunities for high variability but also increased unpredictability. Given the inconsistent form of Richard Childress Racing so far this year, these upcoming races may serve as crucial turning points for both Busch and his No. 8 crew.
Larson, with his own race derailed by the crash, will also be aiming to rebound. For Hendrick Motorsports, the focus now shifts to quickly regrouping and minimizing points lost in such turbulent settings.
Broader Ramifications Across the Field
Sunday’s events did more than just impact Busch and Larson. Drivers like Chase Briscoe and Zane Smith, who saw their positions compromised through no fault of their own, now face added pressure in the coming weeks to gain back lost ground. The mishap illustrated the razor-thin margin between risk and reward on street circuits buffeted by unpredictable weather, underlining the mental and mechanical challenges competitors face.
Shane van Gisbergen, meanwhile, capitalized on the disarray, pulling away to a dominant win. His performance humbled the rest of the NASCAR Cup Series field and underscored how quickly fortunes can change, particularly in international or mixed-conditions events. The event also added further complexity to the season narrative, keeping fans and teams on edge as each race brings fresh tests.
What Lies Ahead for the Cup Series Drivers
The aftermath of the Mexico City chaos casts a long shadow, with upcoming road course events now seen as pivotal for teams seeking redemption. For RCR and Kyle Busch, who admitted fault and voiced determination, these contests will be vital for restoring momentum and confidence among the crew and sponsors.
Kyle Larson and Hendrick Motorsports, having suffered through lengthy repairs, must quickly reassert their competitive presence if they hope to stay in championship contention. The lesson from Mexico City is clear: even the most experienced drivers are vulnerable to fast-changing track conditions, especially when rain is added to the mix.
For the broader NASCAR field, the unpredictable nature of these international stops—and the shifting dynamics brought by changing weather—will be a defining theme of the upcoming month. As fans and teams brace for more wild-card events, the ability to adapt quickly and minimize errors remains the clearest path to lasting success.
