As NASCAR prepares for its first race at Mexico City’s Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez this weekend, drivers are confronting an array of unfamiliar challenges. With limited practice time on the new track, the uncertainties around car setup and race conditions, especially concerning braking, are causing concern for teams and drivers alike. This has sparked considerable attention on how Zane Smith NASCAR Mexico City brake challenges will shape the race.
Zane Smith, representing Front Row Motorsports, addressed the media about his approach for this unique event. Despite generally strong performances on road courses, Smith experienced difficulties in the recent race at the Circuit of the Americas, where his car setup left him finishing 29th. Determined to improve, Smith and his team have developed a completely new configuration tailored for Mexico City’s high-altitude conditions.
Adjusting to the High Altitude: Brake Strategies and Engine Impact
Situated at an elevation of 7,500 feet, the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez stands as the highest track the NASCAR Cup Series has ever raced on. This altitude significantly affects how engines perform and how cars manage heat. Reduced air density means engines generate less horsepower, while cooling systems face challenges because water boils at lower temperatures at higher elevations.
Smith highlighted that the impact on the brake system will be especially important, stating,
Image of: Zane Smith
“I don’t want to say brake issues, but what brake package you have is going to be very interesting.”
—Zane Smith, Front Row Motorsports driver
The right brake setup and adaptations to the car will be critical to success, making every moment on the track during practice vital. Smith hopes these adjustments will help him secure a third top-10 finish this season as he competes outside the United States.
Physical and Mental Preparations for Racing at Altitude
The thin air at such high elevation poses a physical challenge to drivers, affecting their endurance and focus during the race. To counteract these effects, Joe Gibbs Racing’s Chase Briscoe has been using a hyperbaric chamber to simulate the lower oxygen environment. This method is intended to help him acclimate and enhance performance despite the physical toll.
Sharing his experience, Briscoe said,
“If we get to Mexico and all that was a waste of time, I’ll just be in the dog house. You get good sleep because you’re not getting woken up by the kids, but it’s like 90 degrees in this tent. It smells like straight-up plastic.”
—Chase Briscoe, Joe Gibbs Racing driver
Other drivers, including Christopher Bell, have also taken similar steps to prepare for the altitude, though the overall effectiveness of these efforts remains to be seen as the weekend unfolds.
What This Race Means for NASCAR and Competitors
This debut race in Mexico City could mark a significant moment in the NASCAR Cup Series, testing drivers’ adaptability under unique atmospheric and mechanical stressors. Teams that swiftly decode the challenges of high altitude, particularly regarding brake systems and engine performance, will gain a competitive edge. For Zane Smith and others, this race represents both a significant obstacle and an opportunity to demonstrate resilience and technical skill.
As the Cup Series ventures to this unprecedented elevation, the results of these preparations will come to light, potentially influencing how future races are approached on high-altitude circuits.
