Pato O’Ward, the beloved IndyCar driver from Mexico, has been fervently advocating for the return of an IndyCar Series race to his home country. With a large and passionate fan base in Mexico, O’Ward is eager to showcase the excitement of IndyCar racing to his fellow countrymen. Despite the absence of IndyCar in Mexico since 2007, under the Champ Car era at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, O’Ward remains determined to promote the sport in his homeland.
NASCAR Beats IndyCar to Mexico
In a surprising turn of events, NASCAR has beaten IndyCar to the punch by announcing a race at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City next year. Scheduled for June 14-15, 2025, the NASCAR event will coincide with the IndyCar Series race at Gateway. The track layout for the NASCAR race will feature 14 turns, skipping Turns 5 and 6, and following the layout used by F1 in the Mexican Grand Prix.
During the Detroit Grand Prix weekend in early June, O’Ward expressed his thoughts on the news, highlighting his happiness for his friend and Cup Series driver Daniel Suarez, also from Monterrey, Mexico. O’Ward acknowledged NASCAR’s recognition of the potential of Latin communities to enhance the series’ appeal.
While O’Ward is pleased for Suarez and NASCAR’s upcoming race in Mexico, he remains committed to his mission of bringing IndyCar back to his home country. As a six-time race winner and driver of the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, O’Ward is passionate about ensuring that any potential IndyCar race in Mexico counts towards the championship, rather than being a non-points exhibition.
Looking Towards the Future
In February 2022, Mark Miles, the president and CEO of Penske Entertainment Corporation, expressed his interest in potentially racing in Mexico. While IndyCar seemed poised for an exhibition race in Argentina, recent developments have shifted the focus back to Mexico. Miles emphasized the importance of finding the right location and circumstances to make a potential race in Mexico successful.
Despite the lack of movement on IndyCar’s leadership front regarding a return to Mexico, O’Ward and other drivers continue to advocate for international expansion. Graham Rahal, who has personal ties to racing in Mexico, shared his desire to see IndyCar explore more races outside of the United States.
Subheadings:
Pato O’Ward’s Push for IndyCar in Mexico
NASCAR’s Presence in Mexico
The Future of IndyCar in Mexico
With the growing interest in international expansion and the potential for new racing opportunities, the prospect of IndyCar returning to Mexico remains a topic of discussion among drivers, fans, and officials alike. While NASCAR’s upcoming race in Mexico signifies a step forward for motorsport in the country, the allure of IndyCar racing in Mexico continues to captivate audiences worldwide.