NASCAR driver Zane Smith has expressed frustration over the widespread overreaction to this weekend’s upcoming race at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City. Whether concerns revolve around Montezuma’s Revenge or the perceived dangers of the track, Smith dismisses such fears as exaggerated ahead of the Viva Mexico 250 event. As a driver competing in the NASCAR Cup Series, Smith provided insight into the situation, emphasizing a more grounded perspective on the race environment.
Smith, now in his second year in the NASCAR Cup Series, pilots the No. 38 Ford Mustang for Front Motorsports under a multi-year contract. Originally from Huntington Beach, he spent his rookie season behind the wheel of the No. 71 Chevy Camaro with Spire Motorsports. With the Mexico City race drawing attention as the first Cup Series points race outside the United States since 1958, Smith and his teammates are preparing for the challenge ahead.
Zane Smith Critiques Industry Reactions to Mexico City Race
Amid the buzz leading up to the Viva Mexico 250, Smith voiced his disappointment at the industry’s response, describing it as disproportionate and fueled by misinformation. He noted his own experience spending time in Mexico as evidence against the exaggerated claims.
“There is a lot of overreaction from the majority of the industry. And it’s frustrating to hear and deal with. I’ve spent a good amount of time down in Mexico. There’s a lot of people that are overreacting.”
—Zane Smith, NASCAR driver
Drawing a parallel between the Mexico City race and NASCAR’s previous trip to Chicago, Smith highlighted how initial skepticism did not align with the event’s positive reception.
“It reminds me somewhat of Chicago, too. Like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is gonna be a trainwreck.’ And then we go to Chicago and they’re like ‘Oh my gosh, this is the most fun weekend ever!’”
—Zane Smith, NASCAR driver
Smith will race alongside Front Motorsports teammates Noah Gragson and Todd Gilliland in the 100-lap contest. Heading into the event, Smith stands 22nd in the driver points rankings. Gragson holds 31st place with 224 points, and Gilliland is 27th with 265 points. Fans have the option to watch the race live on Prime Video at 3 p.m. ET or follow radio coverage through MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Reflecting on the Challenges of a Rookie Season in NASCAR Cup Series
Smith openly discussed the difficulties he faced during his rookie year, emphasizing how tough it typically is for first-year drivers to achieve notable success in the Cup Series. Over his initial 18 races last season, Smith’s best finish was 13th place, although he managed to secure two top-10 and two top-five finishes later in the year. Despite the challenges, victory lane remained elusive.
“You just see these brutal rookie seasons for guys in Cup,” Smith stated during a virtual interview on June 11. “I don’t remember anyone that just dominated races. You pretty much just try to survive that first year, learn as much as you can and take all the smack talk. It just feels like a bad luck year, your rookie year. I don’t really know why.”
—Zane Smith, NASCAR driver
According to Smith, the second season in the Cup Series tends to bring more understanding and better responses to racing highs and lows, as drivers have already gone through much of the learning curve during their debut year.
“You’re still going to experience highs and lows in your second year, but I feel like you know how to react to them a little bit better,”
—Zane Smith, NASCAR driver
Fifteen races into this current season, Smith has recorded two top-10 finishes and led 10 laps in total. He continues to pursue his first Cup Series win, a milestone that would secure his playoff berth.
Preparing for a Historic Race Outside the United States
The Viva Mexico 250 marks a significant moment for NASCAR, representing the first point-paying Cup Series race held outside the United States since 1958. This milestone adds historical weight to the event, and Smith’s participation, along with his Front Motorsports teammates, signals their readiness to compete on an international stage while confronting the unfounded anxieties surrounding the race.
As the NASCAR Cup Series expands its reach, drivers like Zane Smith are focused on performance and adaptability rather than the hype and misconceptions circulating before the race, aiming to demonstrate that success and safety can go hand in hand in new venues.
