Dale Earnhardt Jr. Reacts as Fans Mexico City Hate Goes Overboard

For those thinking NASCAR is only restricted to America, let’s take a detour to NASCAR’s previous international stints. The sport’s been crossing borders for decades, planting flags in places far from Daytona’s beaches. In Canada, NASCAR’s first international Cup race went down in 1952 at Stamford Park Speedway in Niagara Falls, Ontario. A grueling 100-mile dirt track slugfest, it saw just 17 starters and three finishers, with Buddy Shuman taking the checkered flag. It didn’t spark a global boom, but it proved NASCAR could play beyond the U.S.

Then there’s Australia, where NASCAR roared in February 1988 with the Goodyear NASCAR 500 at Melbourne’s Calder Park Thunderdome, the first oval race outside North America. The 1.1-mile tri-oval drew 46,000 fans to watch Cup legends like Neil Bonnett, Bobby Allison, and Richard Petty (who tested there). It was a wild moment, showing NASCAR’s knack for captivating crowds on foreign soil. The sport’s global itch didn’t stop there, and now it’s Mexico’s turn to shine.

This weekend’s NASCAR Viva México 250 at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez is stirring up buzz, but not all of it’s positive. Some fans can’t wrap their heads around NASCAR leaving the States, griping about logistics and local quirks. But NASCAR’s prince, Dale Earnhardt Jr., has thrown his weight behind the event, calming the storm and reminding everyone why Mexico’s a perfect fit.

Dale Jr. champions Mexico’s magic

Jeff Gluck’s X post laid bare the fan backlash, “My replies are so toxic this weekend. I shouldn’t be surprised, but it’s honestly disappointing because it’s exciting to be here.” Dale Earnhardt Jr. didn’t hesitate to counter the hate, replying, “This has been a great trip. Cool track. Friendly reception. Would recommend.” His words carry weight as Jr.’s not just a fan favorite but a voice of reason.

Mexico’s no stranger to NASCAR, hosting Xfinity races from 2005 to 2008 with winners like Martin Truex Jr., Denny Hamlin, Juan Pablo Montoya, and Kyle Busch. The NASCAR México Series, running since 2004, has built a loyal fanbase, and 2023’s NASCAR Brasil Sprint Race shows the sport’s global push is alive and well.

Fans’ skepticism stems from real concerns—late flights, customs snags, and the dreaded “Montezuma’s Revenge,” a stomach bug from dodgy food or water. Teams got precautionary briefs, and some drivers are visibly on edge. But Jr.’s endorsement flips the script, highlighting the track’s vibe and Mexico’s warm welcome. His love for the 2.417-mile, 14-turn circuit, with its Foro Sol stadium section, signals this isn’t just a race; rather, it’s a cultural bridge.

Zane Smith, Front Row Motorsports’ rising star, echoed Jr.’s vibe. On a Zoom call, he vented about the negativity, “My honest answer is there’s a lot of overreaction from majority of the industry, and it’s frustrating to hear and deal with,” he said. A California native with deep Mexican ties, his dad’s off-road racing team, Herbst-Smith Fabrication, has roots there because Smith’s no stranger to Cabo vacations or Mexico’s motorsport scene. His frustration’s real as the industry’s blowing logistical hiccups out of proportion, overshadowing the event’s historic stakes.

Jr. and Smith’s support is a gut check for fans. Mexico’s not uncharted territory as NASCAR’s been here before, and the México Series proves the country’s got racing in its blood. The Viva México 250 is a chance to celebrate, not complain, and with legends and young guns backing it, the haters might just eat their words.

Suárez’s qualifying crash dims hometown hopes

Daniel Suárez, Mexico’s racing hero, hit a rough patch at the worst possible time. During Xfinity Series qualifying for the Chilango 150 at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Suárez crashed his No. 9 JR Motorsports Chevy, wrecking the front end in Turn 11.

“I probably just trusted the car a little bit too much, the brakes were, for some reason, not 100%, but my bad,”  he said post-crash. Locking the brakes sent him head-on into the barrier, forcing him to start last in a backup car for his home race, a gut punch for the Monterrey native.

The crash, with over 22 minutes left in the session, left JR Motorsports scrambling. Suárez limped the car back to the pits, was cleared by medical staff, and stayed optimistic. “Hopefully, we can build another fast car. I think the car was pretty good.” But the tight timeline before the Xfinity race adds pressure, with no room for mechanical hiccups. His brake issues, described as a “long pedal” in practice, is a hint at a setup gamble that backfired.

This was Suárez’s first Xfinity race of 2025, bringing his 2016 championship pedigree and three career wins to the table. His teammate, Connor Zilisch, nabbed pole, giving JR Motorsports a silver lining. For Suárez, racing in front of his home crowd is a dream, but starting last in a backup car is a nightmare. The crash underscores racing’s unpredictability, especially on a tricky track like Mexico’s, where altitude and tight corners demand precision.

Suárez’s setback doesn’t dim the Viva México 250’s shine, but it’s a reminder of the stakes. With Jr. and Smith hyping the event, and Suárez fighting to rebound, Mexico’s proving it’s more than ready for NASCAR’s spotlight, whether fan gripes or not.