The NASCAR Cup Series will make its debut at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City on June 15 with the Viva Mexico 250 race. Many drivers, including Chase Briscoe, are highlighting a major challenge of competing in Mexico City: the significant altitude and its effect on breathing and engine performance.
Mexico City sits at 7,350 feet above sea level, which is nearly one and a half miles high. This elevation notably exceeds that of Denver, Colorado, one of the highest cities in the U.S. at about 5,280 feet. The thinner air at such an altitude can impair driver respiration and reduce engine power due to decreased oxygen intake.
The Impact of Mexico City’s Altitude on Drivers and Vehicles
Briscoe points out that breathing will be one of the most difficult aspects of racing in Mexico City, where reduced oxygen levels can cause fatigue more quickly. Engine performance is also expected to suffer, as naturally aspirated motors draw in less air, diminishing power output. Teams are preparing for this by planning to bring oxygen supplies for drivers and using mechanical simulations to mimic the effects of less air on engines during practice.
NASCAR last raced on this same Mexico City road course in the Xfinity Series from 2005 to 2008, but this will be the first Cup race at this venue.
It is something truly I don’t understand, how bad or indifferent it’s going to be,
Briscoe said in a pre-race interview before the Coca-Cola 600 event.
He explained the power loss he experienced during simulator sessions, describing how the car struggles to spin tires due to reduced engine output at high altitude. Briscoe has also been engaging in off-track preparation but remains uncertain about the effectiveness of his training.
The only time I’ve even been in elevation has been snowmobiling in Park City, Utah (just over 7,000 feet above sea level). I remember it being way hard to breathe and stuff. I think it is going to be different, but I don’t know what to expect till I get there.
In contrast to typical weekends where teams arrive shortly before the race, many drivers, including Briscoe, plan to arrive days early to better acclimate to the thin air and prepare their bodies for the unique conditions.
I was talking to my wife just this week that I don’t know if I will get there and get done with practice and be like, man, I should have been doing a lot more or am I going to get there and be like I’ve been doing overkill these last two months just trying to get ready for this, I don’t know,
Briscoe added.
Teams’ Strategies to Adapt to Mexico City’s Unique Challenges
How effective early arrival and physical preparation will be remains unclear, and Briscoe recognizes the unpredictable nature of this challenge. Some drivers who engage in breathing exercises and altitude simulations might gain an advantage, while others could face greater difficulty.
It’s going to be an advantage or a huge disadvantage for the guys that aren’t doing stuff,
Briscoe noted regarding his competitors.
I’ve definitely been doing stuff to prepare. I just don’t know if it is going to apply.
When pressed about his specific training methods, Briscoe chose to keep his preparation confidential.
I don’t want to give away any secrets,
he said with a smile.
Toyota has put together a plan for the Toyota drivers at least, and we are all doing relatively the same thing. I’m definitely interested to see how it all plays out.
Chevrolet driver Chase Elliott also expressed concerns about racing at high altitude, emphasizing the physical demands of road courses compared to oval tracks.
Road courses are always a little more physical than ovals are,
Elliott said, describing the constant shifting, braking, and throttle work involved.
With that being said, I know for one thing: When you go out west and you go climb a flight of stairs, it’s different than climbing a flight of stairs at home, right? And I think everybody can attest to that it’s been at a higher elevation,
Elliott concluded.
What the Mexico City Race Means for Drivers and the Future of NASCAR
The Viva Mexico 250 marks an important milestone for NASCAR by expanding the Cup Series to an international road course with unique environmental challenges. Drivers and teams alike must adapt quickly to the effects of the high altitude, which impact both physical endurance and vehicle performance.
Preparations such as early arrival, specific physical training, and technical adjustments to engines will be critical for success. How well these efforts translate to race-day performance remains to be seen, but their importance cannot be overstated in this unprecedented setting.
This race could set a precedent for future events at similar altitudes, forcing NASCAR and its competitors to develop new strategies to overcome environmental hurdles. For now, all eyes will be on Mexico City as the Cup Series tests the limits of driver and machine under these challenging conditions.
