Denny Hamlin on NASCAR Mexico City exit has become a central topic as the series abruptly decided not to return to the international venue next season. Speaking from his years of experience, Hamlin gave direct insight into what really drove the decision, identifying money concerns, crew health, and intense logistical strain as primary factors in the exit from Mexico City.
After the last race in Mexico City concluded, the atmosphere among teams was subdued, with many participants not only feeling emotional fatigue but also dealing with the physical repercussions of a tough week. Denny Hamlin, a veteran driver highly respected for both his competitive achievements and his understanding of motorsports’ complexities, was among those paying close attention to the team dynamics as they unfolded. His uniquely candid assessment would soon shift the conversation around NASCAR‘s international strategy.
Money at the Heart of the Decision
Denny Hamlin’s explanation made it clear that the main influence behind NASCAR‘s sudden withdrawal from Mexico City was financial. Addressing speculation and disappointment, Hamlin initially lightened the mood before coming straight to the point.
“Usually, this stuff comes down to money. Let’s all be honest. Maybe someone’s bid wasn’t what it needed to be, or they didn’t sell as many tickets, and so the return from that was not enough. It’s always money,”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver. His statement echoed across the paddock, eliminating much of the guesswork about the future of international events in the series.
This straightforward acknowledgment revealed a reality faced by organizers and teams alike. While global expansion can bring increased excitement and exposure, it must be justified by returns that offset extensive costs. The Mexico City event, it seems, did not meet these expectations, with ticket sales and overall financial performance falling short.
Teams Struggled With Unforgiving Logistics
Hamlin did not limit his critique to monetary issues. He went on to describe the substantial, often underappreciated, operational burdens that teams faced in preparing for the unique challenges of racing abroad.
“I can tell you from the team standpoint, we are like wiping our foreheads. Like Mexico was very, very challenging. Logistically. Uh, very, very tough on our race teams to prepare the cars,”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver.
The logistics required for the Mexico City race disrupted teams‘ usual preparation routines. Moving equipment and race-ready vehicles had to happen far in advance, stretching resource allocation and energy thin and creating additional stress for everyone involved. Hamlin described the demanding schedule as spanning over a week before the event itself,
“a week, ten days in advance,”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver. These behind-the-scenes hurdles stacked up, putting pressure not only on team coordinators but also on drivers and engineers who rely on consistency in their calendar.
The Hidden Health Toll of International Racing
One of the most overlooked aspects, Hamlin revealed, was the toll on the physical health of race teams, drivers, and support staff.
“Not only the task of that, but the task it had on everyone’s stomach when they got back home. Man they were they were a lot of sick people. Lots. I mean, I know of five to six that were in really really bad shape.”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver. He highlighted the impact of illness that rippled through the garage area after the Mexico City event—a disruption that extended far beyond the normal post-race exhaustion.
For a sport dependent on sharp concentration, peak fitness, and quick reactions, this outbreak of illness was far from a minor setback. According to Hamlin, it wasn’t just a passing issue—
“Some of the drivers still were not feeling well the following seven days. So yeah, I don’t know. You just uh body’s not quite used to that, the types of food or water, I don’t know.”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver. He alluded to the difficulties teams faced in adapting to local environmental factors, which resulted in lingering health concerns affecting team performance well after the race had ended.
Hamlin’s openness about these health challenges provided rare, honest insight into the full spectrum of issues involved in expanding to nontraditional venues. For teams and organizers, maintaining athlete well-being has to remain a top consideration—especially when the aftereffects threaten to spill into subsequent races.
Weighing International Ambitions Against Reality
Hamlin’s comments offered a counterbalance to the optimistic outlook that often surrounds NASCAR’s push toward international growth. While many fans and officials, such as Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Rick Hendrick, have encouraged broader horizons for the sport, Hamlin’s perspective indicated the constant negotiation between ambition and practicality. He underscored that, no matter how passionate the fan base or how exciting the prospect, decisions ultimately rest on measurable impacts: financial returns, manageable logistics, and maintaining the health of everyone involved.
These considerations have become essential as NASCAR evaluates which locations serve the sport best. The realities Hamlin described suggest that for global racing events to thrive, all sides—drivers, support personnel, fans, and local organizers—must see both opportunity and feasibility reflected in every event‘s planning and execution.
The Return of Chicagoland and NASCAR’s Future Schedule
In the aftermath of Mexico City’s removal from the schedule, NASCAR confirmed that the series will shift its focus back to familiar U.S. soil. Hamlin’s feelings about this announcement were cautiously optimistic.
“Good. I think that’ll put on a good race. Um, it’s a wide mile and a half. Typically, that’s been the one type of racing that’s been pretty good,”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver. This sense of relief was echoed across teams, as returning to Chicagoland ensures a more predictable race weekend with familiar routines and infrastructure.
The Chicagoland oval offers fewer logistical hurdles and is associated with strong competition. For many, this means a return to a classic NASCAR experience, with dedicated fans and well-established local support networks. The schedule change demonstrates how organizers are keen to strike a balance: delivering top-tier entertainment while minimizing off-track risks.
Hamlin highlighted that the transition allows crews, drivers, and organizers—from team owners to front-line mechanics—to focus their energies on racing, rather than overcoming unprecedented travel and preparation difficulties. This practical outlook is likely to shape NASCAR‘s approach to any future international expansion, encouraging more cautious and thoroughly assessed scheduling.
The broad lesson for both the organization and its passionate fan base is that international ambitions, while valuable, must be pursued alongside operational stability and driver well-being. As the series reviews its events, Hamlin’s insights will remain a touchstone for the sport, reminding decision-makers of the real-world stakes—financial, logistical, and human—that define great racing.
