It’s been a long, long time since NASCAR held a points race outside of the United States.
The Cup Series held exhibition races in Japan (1996, 1998) and Australia (1988), but you’d have to go back 67 years to the last time that an international NASCAR race counted toward the standings.
That’s set to change next year with the road race at a venue that should be familiar to Formula 1 fans.
Mexico City to host NASCAR race in 2025
After early reports trickled out Monday, NASCAR confirmed on Tuesday that it’ll race in Mexico for the first time in the 75-year history of the Cup Series.
The race will be held on June 15 at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City – a beloved stop on the F1 calendar because of its electric atmosphere and diverse track layout that both tests drivers and thrills fans.
Ben Kennedy, NASCAR’s executive vice president, said the race would be the first in a multi-year deal in the sport’s continued effort to expand its international reach.
READ MORE: Kyle Larson explains why he doubts Max Verstappen’s ability to win a NASCAR race
The last points race outside the United States came in 1958 at the Canadian Exhibition Stadium in Toronto. That was the second of two races in Canada, the only other country to host an official Cup Series race.
Kennedy said the track will feature most of the existing F1 circuit with a modification at turn 4, resulting in a 14-turn course roughly 2.5 miles in length.
NASCAR deepens roots in Mexico
While next year’s race will be a modern first for the Cup Series, it won’t be NASCAR’s first trip south of the border.
The Xfinity Series held four races at Hermanos Rodriguez from 2005-08 with winners including Martin Truex Jr, Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch. The NASCAR Mexico Series has also been racing since 2004 and will hold its title race this year at the same venue.
Daniel Suarez, the first Mexican-born driver to win a Cup Series race, previously raced full-time in the Mexico Series and won its season-opening race this year at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Suarez narrated NASCAR’s video reveal for next year’s race and played a key role in Tuesday’s official announcement. The Trackhouse Racing star will be among 16 drivers competing in the Cup Series postseason starting Sept. 8 at Atlanta Motor Speedway – the site of his stunning win earlier this season.