The NASCAR Cup Series makes history this weekend with its first-ever international points-paying race in the modern era—the Viva Mexico 250 at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City. This 2.42-mile, 15-turn road course presents a unique challenge for drivers, featuring high elevation, tight corners, and long straightaways.
Race Details
Event: Viva Mexico 250
Date: Sunday, June 15, 2025
Time: 3:00 PM ET
Venue: Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Mexico City, Mexico
TV Broadcast: Amazon Prime Video
Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
Race Distance: 100 laps 242 miles
Stages: 20 45 100
Track Overview: Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez
This historic circuit, named after Mexican racing legends Ricardo and Pedro Rodríguez, sits at an elevation of nearly 7,500 feet above sea level—the highest track on the NASCAR schedule. The thin air will impact engine performance, potentially reducing horsepower by up to 20%, making cooling systems crucial. The track features:
A long front straightaway (3,937 feet), second only to Talladega’s backstretch.
Technical esses that demand precision and control.
A stadium section that creates an electric atmosphere for fans.
Drivers to Watch
Favorites
Shane van Gisbergen (+330) – Secured pole position, known for his road-course expertise.
Christopher Bell (+700) – Won the first road course race of the season at COTA.
William Byron (+800) – Runner-up at COTA, consistently strong on road courses.
Tyler Reddick (+800) – Has seven Top-10 finishes in his last 12 road course starts.
Kyle Larson (+800) – A proven road-course winner, looking to rebound.
Underdogs
Daniel Suárez (+1400) – The hometown favorite, previously won at Sonoma.
Michael McDowell (+2000) – Experienced road racer, won at Indianapolis in 2023.
Ross Chastain (+2500) – Three Top-7 finishes in five road course starts last season.
Race Storylines
Historic International Expansion
This marks NASCAR’s first international points-paying race since 1958, when Lee Petty won in Toronto. The logistics of transporting cars to Mexico City have been challenging, with teams facing travel delays and border inspections.
High-Altitude Challenges
The thin air at Mexico City’s elevation will reduce horsepower, making engine cooling a major concern. NASCAR has allowed teams to test different hood louvers to optimize cooling.
Denny Hamlin’s Absence
Last week’s Michigan winner, Denny Hamlin, will miss the race following the birth of his son. Ryan Truex will drive the No. 11 Toyota in his place.
Starting Lineup
Pole: Shane van Gisbergen
Top 5: Ryan Preece, Ross Chastain, Ty Gibbs, Michael McDowell.
Other Notables: Kyle Larson (6th), Joey Logano (9th), Daniel Suárez (10th), Chase Elliott (12th).
Driver Odds
Shane Van Gisbergen + 220
Ross Chastain + 600
Ty Gibbs + 800
Kyle Larson + 800
Christopher Bell + 1200
Chase Elliott + 1200
Ryan Preece + 1200
Michael McDowell + 1400
Daniel Suarez + 1800
AJ Allmendinger + 2000
William Byron + 2000
Tyler Reddick + 2000
Chris Buescher + 2200
Kyle Busch + 2500
Carson Hocevar + 2800
Chase Briscoe + 3000
Todd Gilliland + 3000
Ryan Blaney + 3000
Austin Cindric + 3500
Joey Logano + 4000
Alex Bowman + 6000
Josh Berry + 8000
Erik Jones + 13000
Justin Haley + 15000
Brad Keselowski + 15000
Austin Dillon + 15000
Ryan Truex + 15000
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. + 20000
Bubba Wallace + 25000
Zane Smith + 25000
Riley Herbst + 25000
Cole Custer + 30000
Ty Dillon + 30000
Noah Gragson + 30000
John Hunter Nemechek + 50000
Katherine Legge + 50000
Cody Ware + 70000
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, June 14, 2025
