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NBC Sports
a day ago
- Climate
- NBC Sports
NASCAR Saturday schedule at Pocono Raceway
Pocono Raceway will feature more than seven hours of on-track action Saturday for the NASCAR Xfinity and Cup series. The Xfinity Series will be on track at 10 a.m. for a 55-minute practice that will be followed immediately by qualifying for a 100-lap race. The green flag will drop at 3:40 p.m. The Cup Series will begin a nearly hourlong practice at 12:35 p.m. with each of the two groups getting 25 minutes each of track time. Qualifying will begin at 1:45 p.m. to set the lineup for Sunday's 160-lap race. Cole Custer is the defending Xfinity race winner but is absent from this year's entry list after moving back up to the Cup Series in 2025. Dustin Long, Pocono Raceway Saturday schedule (All Times Eastern) Garage open 8:30 a.m. - 9 p.m. — Xfinity Series 7 a.m. - 3 p.m. — Cup Series Track activity 10 - 10:55 a.m. — Xfinity practice (CW App) 11:05 a.m. - noon — Xfinity qualifying (CW App) 12:35 - 1:35 p.m. — Cup practice (Prime, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) 1:45 - 2:30 p.m. — Cup qualifying (Prime, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) 3:30 p.m. — Xfinity race (100 laps, 250 miles; Stage 1 at Lap 25, Stage 2 at Lap 50; CW Network; MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) Weather Saturday: A mixture of sunshine and clouds with a high of 81 degrees and winds from the west at 5 to 10 mph. It's expected to be 80 degrees with a 15% chance of rain for the start of the Xfinity Series race.
USA Today
6 days ago
- Automotive
- USA Today
NASCAR in Mexico City: Should the series return in 2026 for another Cup race?
NASCAR in Mexico City: Should the series return in 2026 for another Cup race? Show Caption Hide Caption Jeff Gordon reflects on how to grow NASCAR's popularity Jeff Gordon discusses the popularity of NASCAR and how the sport can continue to grow. Sports Seriously For the first time since 1958, NASCAR's top level raced on international asphalt and it counted for points. The Viva Mexico 250 saw the grid take on the unique challenge of the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City. It's one of the toughest tracks on the calendar considering the altitude (7,349 feet) and road track layout. The light rain before the green flag waved added an extra wrinkle to the racing. It was befitting that the winner of NASCAR's first international race in decades is an international driver. Trackhouse Racing's Shane van Gisbergen, a native of New Zealand, earned his second career Cup Series win and a spot in the 10-race playoffs later this year. It came in dominant fashion with van Gisbergen taking pole position and leading 60 of the 100 laps. He took first as Christopher Bell, Chase Elliott, Alex Bowman and Michael McDowell rounded out the top five finishers. This was a new experience for one of the oldest racing formulas in the world. Was it worth the trip? Here's what we think. NASCAR in Mexico City verdict There were logistical issues with international flights and shuttles getting to and from the track, but once the drivers arrived, they were greeted like rockstars. Middle-of-the-pack drivers like Todd Gilliland, who has just two top-10 finishes this season, had a crowd of fans welcoming him at the track. Fans at the infamous stadium section of the track stayed after the second-tier NASCAR Xfinity race on Saturday, June 14 to high-five drivers and crew members alike as they left for the day. These are notoriously passionate motorsports fans, and they certainly lived up to that billing for NASCAR. Road races can be tough, and this one even more so with the altitude and mixed conditions. Some of the drivers were also dealing with stomach issues, van Gisbergen included, which threw another wrinkle into preparations on race day. Few drivers were outspoken against making the trip, but one notably had a major change in tune. Carson Hocevar had ripped the sport's decision to come to Mexico City on a livestream prior to the race. "If the travel was better, if getting here was easier, if you felt safer getting to and from everywhere, if it wasn't such a (expletive), if the track limits were a little better enforced, if it was going to be a little bit better of a race, and it wasn't so easy to, or feel so locked down like you can't leave anywhere, it'd be a great experience," he said. Come Sunday night, Hocevar took to social media to take back his comments. "Now that I've actually left my hotel a couple times and raced here in front of some of the most passionate fans I've ever seen, my opinion has changed," Hocevar wrote on X. "I am embarrassed by my comments." Cup Series champions Kyle Larson and Kyle Busch were both strong supporters of the race. 'The food is amazing, the city has some of the top restaurants in the world,' Busch said per the Associated Press. 'This is a great place to be and I don't understand the people holed up in their hotels too scared to leave. Live a little.' Should NASCAR race in Mexico City again? A new course is always a challenge. There were some logistical issues with travel, but that's likely to crop up in some way at every new venue NASCAR visits. It gets amplified in an international track. Ben Kennedy, NASCAR executive vice president and chief venue & racing innovation officer, built up this race since its announcement last August and he was "proud" of how the weekend turned out. Before van Gisbergen took to victory lane, his Trackhouse Racing teammate and Monterrey, Mexico native Daniel Suárez won the Xfinity Race a day prior. It was a near-storybook way for NASCAR to re-introduce itself in the country. 'It couldn't have been any better,' Suárez said. 'I've been here since Tuesday just working, doing promotion for sponsors, for the race itself, for fans. Every single thing that we did exceeded my expectations. The fans were amazing." This opportunity is huge for expanding NASCAR's global reach and crucially bringing in new fans. The country has a well-earned reputation for passionate fans when Formula 1 visits the track in the fall so the appetite for racing is there for in-person spectators. NASCAR is non-committal about Mexico City returning to the calendar next season. It should be back, but scheduling could be an issue considering Mexico will be a host country for the 2026 FIFA World Cup this time next year. It could be tough to find another slot in the calendar but it's worth finding a solution. This track is a unique test for drivers and cars alike – given the altitude and layout – with an outstanding fanbase. If the sport wants to tout its drivers as some of the best in the world, this is a key piece to earning that credibility.
Fox Sports
11-06-2025
- Automotive
- Fox Sports
NASCAR race in Mexico City worth extra effort to grow the sport
Sometimes it takes a heavy lift to move the needle. And that's exactly what this weekend's NASCAR race at Mexico will be. A heavy lift. That moves the needle. The Cup Series races in Mexico City this weekend, and that is awesome. Yes, there certainly is a group of the NASCAR fan base and the industry as a whole that doesn't believe NASCAR should race in Mexico City. It is a long and arduous process to move race haulers across the border and deep into the country. The United States-Mexico relations are not at their friendliest, especially in light of the protests in Los Angeles. And there are tracks in the United States that want races. So why go battle those logistical and political challenges to race in Mexico City? The growth of the sport depends on it. Going to a city with more than 20 million people exposes the sport to people who might have never seen it in person. It provides exposure at the highest level and megastars of the sport in a country where NASCAR already has a regional series. It shows sponsors and those interested in investing in the sport that NASCAR is willing to take it globally, increasing the pool of potential sponsors and drivers. Increasing the dollars and potential talent in the sport. Racing at Mexico City will be an event, much like racing at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum or the streets of Chicago. Are there security concerns? Sure. Just as there were when NASCAR raced in Chicago and other places. For context, an off-duty cop was shot in an attempted robbery of the Kansas Speedway vault in 2006. Are there other tracks in the United States where NASCAR could race? Sure. But the tracks that could grow the sport to a new fan base are few and far between. The ones that could generate excitement among the NASCAR faithful — think Bowman-Gray and Rockingham — both held races this year. Albeit, those races were the exhibition clash at Bowman-Gray and an Xfinity-truck doubleheader at Rockingham. Are there some sponsors where racing in Mexico doesn't reach their customer? Sure, at least if they don't do business in Mexico. But part of racing in Mexico is about generating excitement about Mexicans who live in the United States for the NASCAR product. That should also increase the exposure of current sponsors. Are there logistical hurdles? Sure. Hauler manifests are complicated. NASCAR is chartering planes to fly much of the industry as a whole in order to make sure all the teams get there with no safety or logistical issues. So that sounds a lot for a NASCAR race. And it is. But sometimes it takes a heavy lift to move the needle. Many of the same concerns were talked about around the Chicago race and so far, those have been relatively smooth — except for the weather. I went to the NASCAR Xfinity races in Mexico from 2005 through 2008. They were fun. I loved going to the country and experiencing the culture. I also enjoy a trip to Watkins Glen or the Darlington area or Las Vegas. They are all different and all have unique aspects that fans can appreciate. Same with Mexico City. For those who love NASCAR and contend that it has the best racing in the world, then what better way to prove that than taking it across the border? What better way to expose the drivers? A Netflix Series won't work for everyone, and seeing the real thing on someone's home soil can potentially do wonders. Speaking of that, this puts NASCAR at the same venue as Formula 1. Hopefully INDYCAR goes there next year, too. So for all those who want to spew insults about our neighbors and want to hate, go ahead. There's nothing stopping you. But sometimes you have to do something out of the comfort zone — out of the norm — to grow the sport. This is one of those times. Will it work? There's never a guarantee. But it's certainly worth the effort to try. Bob Pockrass covers NASCAR and INDYCAR for FOX Sports. He has spent decades covering motorsports, including over 30 Daytona 500s, with stints at ESPN, Sporting News, NASCAR Scene magazine and The (Daytona Beach) News-Journal. Follow him on Twitter @bobpockrass. recommended Get more from NASCAR Cup Series Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more in this topic
NBC Sports
09-06-2025
- Automotive
- NBC Sports
Mexico's altitude will test engines for NASCAR Cup, Xfinity Series teams this weekend
Drivers and teams will have more than each other to contend with when the NASCAR Xfinity and Cup Series race this weekend at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City. They'll also have to contend with the elevation. The road course is about 7,500 feet above sea level — the next highest track in NASCAR is Las Vegas at about 2,000 feet elevation. The higher elevation means thinner air. Air plays a key role in horsepower and cooling and those will be significant issues for teams. Doug Yates, president and CEO of Roush Yates Engines, estimates that the thinner air could reduce horsepower as much as 20% for the 670-horsepower Cup engines. Danny Lawrence, long time engine builder for Richard Childress Racing and its director of the Xfinity Series and vice president of alliance operations, said maximizing horsepower is challenging at such a high altitude. 'You've got to fool the engine to make it think that the conditions are better,' he told NBC Sports. #NASCAR races this weekend at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City. The area is about 7,500 feet above sea level (Charlotte, NC, home to the teams is at 751 feet above sea level). Daniel Suarez talks about the challenges of competing at high elevation. Daniel Suarez said the horsepower reduction will be minimal for drivers. 'I don't think you have to drive different, but the cars are going to have more mechanical grip especially on the exit of the corners because you have less power,' he said. 'We're going to lose like 80 to 100 horsepower. That's a lot. … But at the same time, in the high-speed corners, we're going to lose a lot of downforce. We're going to lose a little bit of everything.' Racing at such elevation is new for the Cup Series. The Xfinity Series raced in Mexico City from 2005-08. The series averaged nearly seven engine failures per weekend (practice and the race) the first three years. The final year racing at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez saw no engine failures during the weekend. 'I would say we're more concerned about the cooling and the components and the other things we have to ensure are properly set up,' Yates told NBC Sports. NASCAR will allow each manufacturer to have two sets of hood louvers to run during practice Saturday to see which best cools the engine. Each manufacturer will select which hood louver it will use and all of its teams must use the one selected on its cars. Dustin Long, 'The problem we have with the engine is the caution laps,' Trent Owens, crew chief for AJ Allmendinger, told NBC Sports. 'It gets so hot under the caution laps, more so than the green laps.' Under green flag conditions, the cars are at higher speeds and can get more air to cool. The slower speeds under caution means less air gets to the engine to cool it. As engines start to overheat, several problems can ensue. 'What happens with the engine management software is it goes into protection (mode) if you don't get it cool enough before the restart,' Owens said. 'So you're trying to prevent that. It doesn't shut the engine off, but it starts feeding it fuel and changing the timing and stuff like that where you lose horsepower. 'So, just having that stuff right is probably our concern that we normally don't have to worry about at any (other) event.' With NASCAR's rule that engines must run two races, most of the engines that will run in Sunday's Cup race will be that engine's second race. Yates said a lot of the Ford engines for the 2.42-mile road course in Mexico were run earlier this year at Martinsville, a half-mile short track. Yates says the two courses share some similarities so that running one engine at both tracks makes sense. 'We shift at Martinsville every straightaway, every lap,' Yates said. 'So the power curve actually shifted up quite a bit from years ago. As the engine group, we have the opportunity to change the intake manifold and the exhaust system today, so we can tune around the base engine and have power lower RPM range or higher RPM range with those two tuning tools.'
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
13 and Done: Nashville Superspeedway Breaks NASCAR Xfinity's Historic Viewership Run
13 and Done: Nashville Superspeedway Breaks NASCAR Xfinity's Historic Viewership Run originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The NASCAR Xfinity Series was on fire this year. For thirteen straight races, over a million people tuned in to watch every single event. That's the best streak the series has had in almost a decade and it showed just how much fans love what they're seeing on The CW. Advertisement But all good things come to an end. The Tennessee Lottery 250 at Nashville brought in 988,000 viewers, falling just short of that magic million mark. Still, it was the most-watched Xfinity race at Nashville since they started racing there again back in 2021. Here's the thing though – the numbers are still pretty amazing. Those first thirteen races averaged 1.176 million viewers, which is 20% higher than the same time last year. Back then, they were only getting about 978,000 viewers per race on average. NASCAR Xfinity Series drivers race at Nashville Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images What's really helping is that The CW puts these races on free-to-air coverage instead of cable broadcast. More people can watch without paying extra and that's making a huge difference. It's the first time in the series' history that every race is free to watch. Advertisement Even with the streak ending, the Nashville numbers showed continued growth. The 988,000 viewers represented a 29% increase over the fourteenth race of 2024 at Sonoma Raceway, indicating that while the milestone run concluded, overall viewership remains robust and well above last year's pace. So yeah, the streak is over at thirteen races. But the bigger story here is that more people are watching NASCAR Xfinity than ever before and that's pretty exciting for the sport. Related: NASCAR Xfinity Series Hits Ratings Milestone With Rockingham Success This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
