Bad Weather In Forecast For NASCAR Mexico City Race

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated Jun 10, 2025 12:12 PM ET

NASCAR will make history by hosting its first Cup Series race in Mexico City. Like many events in the United States, the international spectacle could face some weather obstacles.

Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez hosts the Viva Mexico 250 this Sunday in the first Cup Series points race outside the U.S. since 1958. The Weather.com forecast calls for a 50 percent chance of rain in the afternoon with "scattered thunderstorms developing later in the day."

Rain and thunderstorms remain in the forecast from Thursday to Saturday and all of next week. Everyone must return to the United States for a Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway on June 22, so it's unclear how NASCAR would proceed if inclement weather jeopardizes Sunday's race.

However, Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports noted that more rain is anticipated during the evening than early afternoon. The race starts at 3 p.m. ET and 1 p.m. local time.

Pockrass added that NASCAR will bring rain tires to Mexico City. They'll have "six sets for the entire weekend" and up to five sets for Sunday's race.

May 24, 2020, Concord, NC, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Joey Logano (22) stands with an umbrella in a rain delay during the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Gerry Broome/Pool Photo via USA TODAY NetworkGerry Broome/Pool Photo.

On the bright side, the weather will contain Sunday's temperature to the low 70s.

While they won't have to worry about heat, drivers must combat high altitudes. The Athletic's Jeff Gluck and Madeline Coleman noted that Sunday will be the highest-elevated race in Cup Series history at 7,350 feet.

While Bubba Wallace joked about holding his breath for practice, 23XI Racing co-owner Denny Hamlin dismissed any concerns about handling the unaccustomed conditions.

"I'm not soft like these guys," Hamlin said. "I don't get bothered by heat or get exhausted. I know the air is thinner and all that, and I know a lot of guys are preparing for it — as they should — but I will not be."

Amazon Prime Video will exclusively stream NASCAR's Mexico City debut this Sunday.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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