NASCAR Roars into Mexico City: McDowell Leads Practice at Historic Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez Debut Weekend

Auto Racing Daily Digest – June 13, 2025

NASCAR roared into Mexico City for its debut weekend at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, setting the stage for a historic and unpredictable event. Qualifying and practice delivered drama, while teams scrambled to tame a challenging street circuit that tested both nerve and setup ingenuity.

NASCAR Cup Series – Viva México 250

Practice Recap:
- Michael McDowell set the pace in Practice 1, clocking 92.657 mph and outpacing Joe Gibbs Racing’s Chase Briscoe (92.547 mph) by a whisker.
- Notables in the top five included Austin Cindric, Kyle Larson, and Chris Buescher, while Todd Gilliland rounded out the top 10.
- JGR’s Ryan Truex, subbing in for Denny Hamlin, struggled in his first session, placing 36th as he adapted to the No. 11 Toyota.
- The Mexico City circuit’s sharp corners, especially Turn 4, proved brutal as Cindric overshot his braking and Noah Gragson found the wall. Numerous drivers grazed barriers or missed apexes, underscoring the track’s difficulty and the drivers’ learning curve[4].

Qualifying Preview:
Qualifying was set for Saturday afternoon, with McDowell and Briscoe emerging as key pole contenders after strong practice form. All eyes were on whether track specialists or Cup veterans would claim crucial grid slots for race day[4].

Race & Championship Standings:
With Sunday’s race looming, the last Cup event at Michigan saw Denny Hamlin win a tense FireKeepers Casino 400, outlasting Ty Gibbs and William Byron in a fuel-mileage thriller. Chase Briscoe had secured his third consecutive pole position at Michigan, maintaining his reputation as a qualifying ace[1][5].

Key Moments from Previous Races:
- The FireKeepers Casino 400 delivered action as Alex Bowman crashed out hard on lap 67, bringing out a red flag. Chris Buescher won Stage 1, William Byron grabbed Stage 2, and Hamlin’s strategic fuel management paid off for victory[5].
- In the Coca-Cola 600, William Byron swept all three stages for the first time since 2021, only to be defeated by Ross Chastain, who powered from 40th to his maiden win in the marquee race[5].

Driver of the Day:
Recent headliners include Denny Hamlin for his tactical brilliance in Michigan and Ross Chastain, whose comeback drive in Charlotte was instantly legendary[5].

Team & Technical Updates:
JGR made headlines by calling up Ryan Truex for the Mexico race as Denny Hamlin sat out, providing valuable seat time and a high-pressure proving ground for Truex[4].
Teams focused on maximizing braking stability and tire longevity. McDowell’s pace suggested Spire Motorsports had nailed the compromise between mechanical grip and straight-line speed, ideal for the track’s unique demands[4].

Looking Ahead:
After Mexico City, drivers and teams head to Pocono Raceway—NASCAR’s “Tricky Triangle”—on June 22. Flat corners and three distinct turns always shake up the form book. Weather conditions look typical for June in Pennsylvania, with cloud cover potentially affecting track temperature and grip[1].

Statistical Focus:
Mexico City practice saw top speeds tightly bunched; the top 10 were separated by less than 0.4 mph, promising close-quarters racing and potential for dramatic overtakes or strategy swings if safety cars are needed[4].

Driver Comparisons:
McDowell’s performance stood out against bigger-budget teams, while Briscoe continued to impress as a one-lap specialist, though race-day results have been more elusive lately.

Technical Breakdown:
Teams faced high-altitude challenges, with engines and cooling systems under extra stress. Braking setups and tire choices were pivotal as the bumpy circuit punished mistakes and rewarded precision.

Stay tuned for a race day like no other as NASCAR writes its first chapter on Mexican soil, with...