The NASCAR Cup Series held its first points race outside the United States since 1958 in Mexico City, drawing a passionate crowd eager to see top drivers compete. While the event was largely well-received for its turnout, drivers and fans raised concerns about the race’s length and schedule, with Ryan Blaney among the most vocal critics.

Although issues such as local safety standards and a controversy involving Carson Hocevar’s inappropriate Twitch comments drew attention, many attendees questioned whether the race’s 100 laps were excessive. Speaking on Rubbin’ is Racing with Spider, the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series champion expressed his belief that a shorter race would have maintained excitement while improving the overall quality.

I think it could have been cut a little bit. 100 laps around that place is a lot. I think you could cut it down to like 80 laps, and it’s going to be just as good of a race,

Blaney said.

He acknowledged that determining the perfect race length on a new circuit is challenging but maintained that trimming 20 laps would have balanced pacing and intensity without sacrificing competitiveness. Despite this critique, Blaney expressed strong support for NASCAR’s venture into international venues and showed openness to returning to Mexico City in the future. However, he also recognized the logistical difficulties posed by quick turnarounds between race weekends when traveling overseas.

Calls for a Scheduled Break After International Races

Blaney also advocated adjusting the NASCAR calendar to better accommodate complex international events. He suggested replacing the Mexico City race’s original slot with the Bristol event’s position just before the Easter break, as this would provide teams with crucial time to recover and prepare. Currently, most teams and drivers return home on Monday following the international race, only to face another race at Pocono just a week later, leaving little time for rest.

I would like to see, maybe it’s a week off after an international event, just to give everybody a little bit of a breather, time to reset… That would be a good idea, have an off weekend after an international race for multiple reasons,

Blaney explained.

Jeff Gordon echoed similar concerns, noting that while expanding NASCAR globally is positive in theory, the demanding schedule risks exhausting teams and drivers. With a 38-race season and only one planned break, both Gordon and Blaney warned the intense sequence could become unsustainable moving forward.

The feedback from Blaney and other key figures highlights the growing pains NASCAR faces as it balances excitement for international competitions with the practical needs of teams and personnel. Adjusting race lengths and incorporating strategic breaks may prove vital to maintaining competitive quality and safeguarding the well-being of everyone involved in upcoming seasons.