The roar of engines at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez still echoes for many after NASCAR’s Cup Series made its bold international debut there in June, the series’ first points-paying race since 1958. Drivers like Daniel Suárez, racing on home soil, turned the event into a personal milestone, pulling in 90% Mexican attendees. This wasn’t just a one-off; it felt like the start of something bigger, a bridge connecting stock car racing to Mexico’s vibrant motorsport scene.

But the buzz hit a hitch when NASCAR skipped Mexico City for 2026 because of the FIFA Men’s World Cup, and instead replaced it with Chicagoland Speedway in the schedule. Logistical headaches aside, that pause left fans hanging. Yet, the fan whispers for a comeback in 2027 continue to keep the spark alive. With promoters already laying groundwork, could 2027 finally be the year NASCAR makes Mexico City a regular stop on the schedule?

Alejandro Soberón Kuri, CEO of CIE Group and a key promoter behind Mexico’s big events, didn’t mince words after the 2025 success. “NASCAR was fantastic; it’s a great event. I think it’s something that can be built on,” he said, pointing to scheduling hurdles and the FIFA World Cup as temporary roadblocks.

“But I think IndyCar and NASCAR have great potential to grow in Mexico and take advantage of this wonderful fanbase, so I think we should expect [news on that for 2027].” Soberón’s push stems from years of hosting Formula 1’s Mexican Grand Prix since 2015, where he’s seen how steady investment turns hype into a fan habit.

For NASCAR, that means treating the market like a marathon, not a sprint—building year-round buzz to match the 44,000-plus race-heads who showed up in 2025 despite travel woes for U.S. teams.

Echoing that call, Mexico City Grand Prix managing director Federico González Compeán stressed the need for deeper roots. “One of the conversations and suggestions that we have made is, ‘Guys, open an office over here.’ Work the [region], develop the [region], and develop the space so you can increase the promotion from here to the States and from the States to here,” he urged the NASCAR and IndyCar representatives.

González, who’s steered F1 logistics at the same track since 2015, knows firsthand how half-measures flop in a market that is primarily dominated by soccer and F1. His advice draws from past Xfinity stints there from 2005 to 2008, which collapsed without local outreach. But now, with digital streaming on the rise, he sees cross-border offices as a tool to fuel ticket sales and fan clubs to make 2027 a confirmed comeback.

For drivers like Daniel Suárez, a Mexico City native, the stakes hit close to home. “This is a dream come true,” he shared ahead of the 2025 race, his voice carrying the weight of a kid who once won a NASCAR Mexico Series event at the track in 2014. Reinstating Mexico could supercharge NASCAR’s Latin American push, tapping into Suárez’s fanbase that boosted viewership by double digits last year.

As the series’ lone Mexican full-timer, who will now drive for Spire Motorsports next year, his presence alone could increase attendance, blending cultural pride with on-track action to grow merchandise sales in a market where stock cars are gaining ground.

That groundwork from the top has fans buzzing louder than ever.

Fans fuel the fire for international expansion

“Seems like they want NASCAR back for 2027,” one fan captured the wave after promoters’ recent chats surfaced. This isn’t blind optimism—it’s rooted in the 2025 turnout, where local heroes like Suárez led a parade of 40-plus cars around a track that’s hosted everything from F1 to local legends since 1959.

Fans see the World Cup detour as a temporary speed bump, much like how Chicagoland clawed back its spot after a street-race experiment, proving NASCAR listens when voices align.

Shifting gears, another voice cut through: “NASCAR really needs to do a better job propping up the regional series and have it at least on Flo or something.” Spot on, given the NASCAR Mexico Series’ oval runs at Hermanos Rodríguez since 2004, which have churned out talents like Suárez but struggle with U.S. visibility. Streaming bumps, like FloRacing’s ARCA coverage, have lifted regional eyes by 25% lately—imagine that for Mexico, where crowds are deeply rooted with speed.

“I’m positive Mexico returns for 27. I wouldn’t be shocked if a race in Canada was on the schedule in 27 too.” This take nods to NASCAR’s global playbook, from the 1958 Toronto debut to eyeing Montreal again amid rising cross-border TV deals.

Also because 2025’s Prime Video broadcast pulls 1.2 million viewers stateside. Plus, Canada can hold two significant NASCAR events, similar to how IndyCar has historically held two major races during its annual Toronto weekend, easing logistics while Suárez’s story draws bilingual crowds.

Another fan also agreed on Mexico needing NASCAR events, but also asked a question about the long-term NASCAR plan. “Both series do need a presence down there. Could you imagine NASCAR running the Brazil GP circuit in ten years?” Picture it: after Mexico’s success, it created a new hope for the sport to explore more international venues.

Specifically, the legendary Interlagos circuit in Brazil—which has a history of hosting Formula 1 races. Apart from IndyCar’s event in Brazil, NASCAR fans in México showed 80% repeat interest in polls, hinting at a South American leap if promoters like Soberón invest early.

“I sure hope they listen. Mexico has an awesome race scene, and we should be doing everything in our power to be a part of it,” wrapped up the chorus in high hopes from NASCAR, tying back to a culture where Hermanos Rodríguez draws 400,000 for F1 weekends. NASCAR coming back in 2027 could mirror its Nashville revival, blending beer and burnout for a new legion of gearheads.