NASCAR made a bold move that changed how people watch races. Its biggest event of the month wasn’t on regular TV. Instead, it streamed through Amazon Prime Video, raising questions about how fans would respond. Then came the race in Mexico City. The setting was new. The platform was different. The result? Not what many expected. Something happened during the Viva Mexico 250 that caught the NASCAR world off guard—and it might shape the future of NASCAR forever.
NASCAR’s Bold Expansion South
After decades of being anchored to its American roots, NASCAR took a daring leap with its first-ever points-paying Cup Series race in Mexico City—and the results were nothing short of remarkable. The Viva Mexico 250, held at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez on June 15, marked a historic moment not just for NASCAR but for motorsports across North America. The event didn’t just fill grandstands—it dominated the weekend in terms of TV and streaming viewership, beating both Formula 1 and IndyCar in a surprising upset that has the motorsport world paying attention.
While Prime Video’s partnership with NASCAR has been under scrutiny for limiting traditional TV exposure, this latest data proves the experiment is working—at least for now. With a combination of Daniel Suárez’s homecoming, a star-studded driver lineup, and a compelling on-track product, NASCAR delivered a cultural and commercial win that could shape the series’ future.
Prime Video’s Numbers Leave F1 and IndyCar in the Dust
Despite streaming-only access, Prime Video’s coverage of the Viva Mexico 250 drew 2.1 million viewers, topping both F1’s Canadian Grand Prix (1.57 million on ABC) and IndyCar’s event in Illinois (1.2 million on FOX). These figures, released by Amazon and later confirmed by NASCAR insiders like Jeff Gluck, indicate the race was not just successful—it led the motorsport TV ratings for the entire weekend.
Prime notes the NASCAR viewership for Mexico City race (2.1 million) beat F1’s Montreal race (1.57 million), which was on ABC, and IndyCar on Fox (1.2 million).
Prime says Sunday had the youngest audience for a Cup Series race since 2017.
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) June 17, 2025
Equally important was the demographic breakdown: the Mexico City race boasted NASCAR’s youngest audience for a Cup Series event since 2017. That’s a critical victory for a sport often criticized for failing to connect with younger fans. Amazon’s free-trial window helped bring in new eyeballs, but the real test will come once that window closes and viewers are asked to pay.
Still, the potential is clear. With the right kind of content and promotion, NASCAR can not only survive in the streaming world—it can thrive. This race may have set the precedent.
Daniel Suárez: The Heartbeat of the Weekend
Much of the buzz surrounding the Mexico City weekend centered on Daniel Suárez, the Mexican-born Trackhouse Racing driver who fully embraced the spotlight. Suárez took personal ownership of promoting the event in his home country, participating in everything from press events to fan meet-and-greets in the lead-up to the weekend. The crowd followed him everywhere, turning him into the undeniable star of the show.
Suárez didn’t disappoint on the track either—he won the Xfinity Series race on Saturday, giving Mexican fans a homegrown winner to celebrate. His victory wasn’t just emotional—it was historic, symbolizing the potential for Latin American drivers to excel on NASCAR’s biggest stages.
Suárez’s performance, charisma, and dedication played a major role in making the Mexico event feel authentic rather than forced. In many ways, he became NASCAR’s ambassador, helping bridge the gap between a traditionally American sport and an international audience eager for representation.
A Win On and Off the Track
While Suárez lit up Saturday, it was Shane van Gisbergen who stole Sunday’s main event. The New Zealander led 60 of 100 laps and cruised to victory with a dominant 16-second lead, earning his second career Cup Series win and clinching a playoff berth in the process. Though the race was marked by intermittent rain and tricky tire decisions, van Gisbergen was untouchable once he found clean air.
Yet even beyond the winner’s circle, the entire race weekend was a win for NASCAR. From the vibrant grandstands to the social media chatter, the vibe was undeniable: fans loved it. Drivers praised the layout and crowd energy, and Prime Video proved it could hold its own—if not surpass—traditional TV networks in delivering NASCAR content to a broader, younger, and more international audience.
With the success of this event, it’s likely we’ll see more international dates added to future NASCAR calendars, especially if it means connecting with growing markets in Latin America.
News In Brief: Amazon Took NASCAR Off TV with Mexico Ratings
The success of the Viva Mexico 250 was more than a one-off feel-good story. It was a proof of concept for NASCAR’s international ambitions and its streaming-based strategy with Prime Video. The viewership numbers, fan engagement, and driver excitement all point in one direction—Mexico belongs on the NASCAR calendar.
Daniel Suárez’s homecoming, Shane van Gisbergen’s dominance, and the youth-driven streaming audience combined to create a landmark weekend for the sport. With three more races still to air exclusively on Prime Video, the pressure is on to keep the momentum going—but if Mexico City was any indication, NASCAR is headed in the right direction.
ALSO READ: Bold Predictions for the 2025 Viva Mexico 250: Who Will Win the NASCAR Cup Race in Mexico?
