The Viva Mexico 250, scheduled for Sunday at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City, will feature Cup Series drivers competing on one of NASCAR’s most challenging road courses. This event marks the first modern-era international points-paying NASCAR Cup Series race, with drivers navigating 15 turns over 100 laps at an altitude of 7,350 feet. The race signifies a major milestone as NASCAR returns to an international points event for the first time since 1958.
Chase Elliott, Road Course Specialist, Aims to Reclaim Winning Form
Chase Elliott, widely regarded as one of the best current road course racers, enters the Mexico City race seeking to end a dry spell that has persisted since 2022. With seven career road course wins, Elliott ranks third behind Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart in all-time road victories. His notable wins include success at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin and Road America in Wisconsin, although these courses have recently rotated off the Cup schedule.
Through the 15 races of the current season, Elliott has yet to secure a win in 2024, holding a single victory at Texas this year. Despite this, he remains a consistent contender, with top-20 finishes in all races and sitting fifth in the points standings behind leader William Byron. Elliott’s average finish of 11.7 highlights his steady performance amid a competitive field.
Season Consistency vs. Lack of Recent Wins for Elliott
Elliott has historically been a driver who leads substantial laps and converts that dominance into victories, as seen in his 19 total Cup wins, including five in his championship year of 2020 and five more in 2022. However, this season has differed sharply; he has led only 95 laps so far, far fewer than top competitors William Byron, Kyle Larson, and Denny Hamlin, who have collectively led over 2,000 laps.
This change in race dynamics has made victories rare for Elliott, contrasting with the more flashy successes of previous years. Nonetheless, fans can expect his experience and skill to come into play at Mexico City, a track that suits his road racing strengths.
Career Achievements and Road Course Record
Over his 36 career road course starts, Chase Elliott has amassed seven wins, three pole positions, and 20 top-five finishes, with an impressive average finish of ninth place. He has led 489 laps on road courses, showcasing his proficiency on demanding circuits. The upcoming race offers a chance to solidify his position among NASCAR’s road course elite and potentially match Tony Stewart’s tally of eight road course wins.
Elliott’s Perspective on Current Season Challenges
Despite some criticism from fans regarding crew chief Alan Gustafson and the team’s recent struggles, Elliott remains positive about their prospects moving forward. Reflecting on the current season, he remarked,
“We care a lot about each other,”
and added,
“I think it’s important that we’ve stuck together through this, and I think there is light at the end of the tunnel somewhere. I also think we’re going to be way better for it once we do get on the other side because we’ve had to learn some hard lessons.”
—Chase Elliott, NASCAR Driver
Looking Ahead: The Significance of a Win in Mexico City
After a 43-race winless streak, Elliott’s performance in Mexico City could mark a pivotal moment in his season. A victory would tie him with Tony Stewart for second place in all-time road course wins and reaffirm his status as one of NASCAR’s premier road racers. Successfully delivering a trophy home from Mexico would serve as a powerful statement both for the driver and the Hendrick Motorsports team going into the final stretch of the season.