NASCAR likely won't race internationally in 2026

It appears that NASCAR won't feature any international races in 2026. 

On Wednesday, Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic reported that NASCAR won't return to Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City in 2026, with Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Illinois, likely taking Mexico City's place on the schedule. 

NASCAR's 2025 race weekend in Mexico City marked a return to Mexico for the NASCAR Xfinity Series and the Cup Series' first trip south of the border. For the Cup Series, the June 15 Viva Mexico 250 was the first international points race since 1958. 

For all the history that was made, it's curious that NASCAR decided against returning to Mexico City. 

Local fans that came out were clearly enamored by the sight of Cup Series vehicles hitting the racetrack. Fans mobbed drivers on race day, and most Cup Series drivers had positive things to say about the event. 

At a time when NASCAR is hyper-focused on bold scheduling moves and taking the sport to places where it hasn't been before - such as Naval Base Coronado or the streets of Chicago - it would make sense for Mexico City to at least get one more opportunity to host a NASCAR race weekend. 

Clearly, NASCAR doesn't see things the same way. 

Regardless of the exact location of a big-market race, taking NASCAR to big markets is one of the most important tools the sanctioning body has in regard to growing the sport, even if those big markets don't host races on a long-term basis. Even a one-year deal, is a positive.

But for an international race such as Mexico City, more consistency in regard to scheduling is necessary. The June race weekend appeared to be a success by many accounts, but a one-and-done deal is less likely to bear any meaningful fruit in terms of growth for NASCAR on an international stage. 

Barring a surprise announcement of a race in Canada next season, NASCAR won't race internationally in 2026. For a sport that's always looking for opportunities to expand its reach, dumping Mexico City from the schedule after just one year is a puzzling decision.