IndyCar Star Breaks Silence as Roger Penske & Co Struggle to Follow NASCAR’s Mexico Blueprint

NASCAR successfully hosted the Viva Mexico 250 at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez on June 15, 2025. This event marked the first time in 25 years that the NASCAR Cup Series raced internationally and the first points race outside the U.S. since the 1950s. The race featured 100 laps on the 2.429-mile road course, with Shane van Gisbergen securing his first win since 2023. The event was broadcast on Amazon Prime Video, highlighting the growing interest in international motorsport events. But while NASCAR embraced international expansion, Roger Penske’s IndyCar is facing challenges in bringing a race to Mexico City.

Rising costs and logistical hurdles have complicated negotiations, leading to uncertainties about the event’s feasibility. Despite these obstacles, voices inside the garage, especially a particular one, reflect a shared interest in expanding IndyCar’s presence in Mexico.

Roger Penske eyes global growth while negotiating IndyCar schedule

Pato O’Ward, the dynamic Mexican driver for Arrow McLaren, has long championed the cause of bringing IndyCar racing to his home country. His dedication to this mission is evident in his statement, “No one wants to race in Mexico more than me. But we want to create an incredible event that is built to last. That requires the right date and the right year for fans and sponsors to fully get behind our sport. I’m motivated to carry this effort forward and take part in a future race in my home country.”

O’Ward’s passion stems from his upbringing in Monterrey, Mexico, where he began his racing career, and his subsequent move to Texas, where he continued to hone his skills. His journey from karting to becoming a prominent figure in IndyCar showcases his commitment to representing Mexican talent on the international stage.

On the other hand, Mark Miles, President and CEO of Penske Entertainment Corp., has been at the forefront of Team Penske‘s efforts to bring an IndyCar race to Mexico City. In a statement, Miles acknowledged, “For more than a year, we have been working diligently to bring the NTT INDYCAR SERIES to Mexico City’s Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. While extensive progress was made…the significant impact of next year’s World Cup proved too challenging to ensure a successful event… We also want to ensure everyone involved feels the conditions are in place to plan a world-class and highly engaging race weekend.”

NASCAR drivers like Daniel Suárez, the first Mexican-born driver to win a NASCAR Cup Series race, had also advocated for NASCAR’s presence in Mexico. His enthusiasm was evident when the series announced its return to Mexico City. Suárez described the event as, “Racing is a universal language. Every driver understands the roar of the engine, the adrenaline of speed, and the thrill of victory. But in my country, drivers feel it even more. The movement of the steering wheel is art, like a dance. The roar of the crowd is electric, like music. The colors of the cars are bright, like the future of Mexican motorsports. These drivers understand that it goes beyond winning or losing. They know Mexico is speed.” The sheer energy of the crowd on seeing native drivers like O’Ward and Suárez is what propels these stars to want to achieve greater wins on their home ground.

While the 2026 IndyCar calendar may not feature a race in Mexico City, the groundwork laid by O’Ward, Mark Miles, and Roger Penske sets the stage for future endeavors. The shared vision and commitment of these figures underscore the potential for a successful race in Mexico City.

Roger Penske’s Cup star prepares for international racing adventure

As the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season winds down, Austin Cindric is setting his sights on a unique off-season challenge. He will take part in Australia’s BP Adelaide Grand Final, the finale of the Supercars Championship held on the historic Adelaide Street Circuit. “Yeah, it should be a really cool adventure. I’m pretty much spending a month down there after the season’s over, which is kind of sad because I miss a lot of football. But, no, it’s a super cool opportunity. It’s something I’ve been wanting to do for a very long time,” Cindric shared on the Door Bumper Clear podcast.

After a season highlighted by his first win at Talladega and consistent top-20 finishes, this marks an opportunity for him to test his skills beyond NASCAR’s familiar circuits. He reflected on his previous Australian racing experiences, saying, “For those that don’t know, I’ve raced in Australia before, twice in the Bathurst 12 Hour, which is different from the Bathurst 1000… and did some testing there almost 10 years ago. I’ve stayed in touch with a lot of those contacts.” With Tickford Racing and Ford supporting his entry, Cindric is eager to embrace the challenges of a Gen 3 Supercar and the unique Adelaide track.

To prepare for the technical and driving adjustments, Cindric has leaned on advice from local racing star Shane van Gisbergen. “I woke up about a month ago to a text from SVG, completely unsolicited, ‘Hey, if you want to be any good down there, you’ve got to right foot brake.’ It was pretty funny, I’m like, ‘okay, well I guess there’s no secrets. Second of all, thanks for the advice,’” Cindric joked. With the right mentorship and a history of adapting to new racing formats, he is optimistic that mastering the right-foot braking and sequential gearbox will allow him to make a strong impression in the Supercars Championship finale.