Kyle Larson, a prominent NASCAR Cup Series driver, described his experience at the NASCAR Mexico race weekend as a significant change that pushed drivers out of their usual routines. The event, held at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City, marked the first points-paying Cup Series race outside the United States since 1958, offering a unique environment for competitors in the 2025 season.
Adjusting to New Experiences Away from Usual Race Weekend Routines
Larson and his fellow Cup Series drivers are accustomed to a well-established routine during race weekends. However, racing in Mexico City disrupted these traditions, presenting new challenges and opportunities for interaction. Unlike typical weekends where drivers stay in separate motor coaches, the team stayed in a shared hotel, requiring them to travel together by shuttle and spend more time socializing.
Larson reflected on this change, saying,
“Mexico’s been fun. It’s a different feeling weekend for us here. We don’t have our motor coaches and all that, so we’re all kind of put up in the same place. You’ve got to ride shuttles together.”
He appreciated the unexpected chance to connect with fellow drivers, which rarely happens during regular race events.
He added,
“It’s honestly really fun and enjoyable to be around your competitors and get to know each other a bit better because on a typical weekend, we just kind of lock ourselves in wherever we’re at. We don’t talk to anybody or anything. So it’s nice that, yeah, you’re almost forced to hang out with each other. It’s cool. You get to know them, so I’ve enjoyed that.”
This social aspect brought a new level of camaraderie to the competition, making the weekend memorable beyond racing.
Potential Lessons for Future NASCAR Events
When asked if NASCAR could incorporate aspects of the Mexico weekend into domestic races, Larson responded with a mixture of humor and interest. He mused about the possibility of banning motorhomes and having all drivers stay at the same hotel during events like those at Pocono Raceway.
He stated,
“I like hanging out with the other drivers, but I don’t know how you ban motorhomes and force us to stay at the same hotel in places like Pocono,”
before laughing and adding, “But it’s fun.” This openness to change highlights how new experiences might positively influence future race logistics and driver interaction.
Larson and the rest of the Cup Series drivers were set to compete at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez later on Sunday, with coverage scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. ET on Prime.