Before the Viva Mexico 250 race at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Kyle Larson shared his enthusiasm about NASCAR’s expansion into Mexico City, emphasizing the importance of reaching fans beyond the sport’s usual U.S. audience. The Hendrick Motorsports driver expressed admiration for the passionate Mexican fanbase and the opportunity to bring stock car racing closer to them.
As NASCAR prepares for a weekend doubleheader with both the Xfinity and Cup Series in Mexico City, Larson reflected on the sport’s efforts to broaden its international appeal and engage a wider global audience.
During a media session, Larson commented:
“I really love the idea of going to Mexico City and bringing the Cup Series to another country and I know we have a lot of Mexican race fans but it’s probably hard for them to come to a race. So, bringing our sport to them is going to be great.”
This event marks a milestone in NASCAR’s international growth strategy, highlighting how expanding race locations can allow new fan segments to experience live competition.
Daniel Suarez’s Role in Elevating NASCAR’s Presence in Mexico
Kyle Larson underscored the significant role Daniel Suarez plays in the event’s success. Suarez, a native of Mexico and a member of Trackhouse Racing, has championed the idea of hosting a points-paying Cup Series race in his home country for years. Larson believes Suarez’s involvement will help draw greater attention and enthusiasm from Mexican fans.
“Having Daniel Suarez as a part of the Cup Series, too, I think is huge for the event,” said Kyle Larson.
Suarez’s participation is expected to increase local engagement, giving fans a homegrown driver to support and adding personal stakes to the weekend’s competitions.
Anticipating an Energetic Crowd and Vibrant Race Atmosphere
Larson also highlighted the electric crowd atmosphere that Mexico City is known for during sports events, noting that passionate fans commonly bring an intense energy, whether at football, soccer, or Formula One races.
“So, yeah, I think it’s going to be an awesome atmosphere. I watch the Formula One race (in Mexico City), and you see football events or soccer events and those fans are just incredible. They’re very passionate. I hope they bring that passion to the race and we can put on a good show and hopefully get to come back more and more and maybe potentially travel to other countries,” concluded Larson.
This optimism points to NASCAR’s hope that the event will become a recurring highlight, reinforcing the sport’s ability to thrive in diverse international markets.
Kyle Larson’s Performance and Competition Within Hendrick Motorsports
Heading into this 16th race of the regular Cup Series season, Larson has maintained a strong position, sitting second in the standings with three wins. Despite this, he faces rivalry from his Hendrick Motorsports teammate, William Byron, who recently drew praise for outperforming Larson in recent races.
NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. offered his perspective on the intra-team competition following the Michigan race.
“The last couple of weeks, I think that he’s [Byron] eclipsed [Kyle] Larson as the best car at Hendrick Motorsports. Nobody’s really been able to say that for a long time.”
“Larson was so good throughout the majority of this season, but he’s stumbled and kind of been kind of neutralized a little bit over the last couple of weeks.”
Currently, Byron leads the overall points standings with one win, seven top-five finishes, and nine top-10s, while Larson trails by 41 points, adding an intense dynamic within the team as the season progresses.
The Broader Impact and Future of NASCAR’s International Expansion
With Kyle Larson praising NASCAR’s Mexico City race and Daniel Suarez’s vital presence, the event represents a key step in NASCAR’s ambition to globalize the sport. The enthusiastic response from Mexican fans and the compelling competition between drivers like Larson and Byron highlight both fan engagement and high-level racing intensity.
Looking ahead, success in Mexico City could encourage NASCAR to explore additional international venues, potentially broadening its footprint into more countries and attracting new audiences worldwide. This progression underscores the growing appeal of stock-car racing beyond traditional borders and the sport’s evolving global identity.
