NASCAR Opts Against Return to Mexico City in 2026 
NASCAR has confirmed it will **not return to Mexico City** for the 2026 season, ending its brief run at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez after just one Cup Series event in 2025, the first international points race since 1958 ([EssentiallySports][1], [Wikipedia][2]).
Hamlin Expresses Disappointment with Financial Realities
On his Actions Detrimental* podcast, Denny Hamlin responded candidly, saying bluntly: “Usually this stuff comes down to money… Maybe someone’s bid wasn’t what it needed to be, or they didn’t sell as many tickets” ([EssentiallySports][1]).
Logistics and Crew Health Were Major Concerns
Hamlin highlighted operational strain on team logistics: “Mexico was very, very challenging… we are like wiping our foreheads.” He described advanced equipment shipping, disruption of workflow, and crew members falling ill five to six that were in really, really bad shape” ([EssentiallySports][1]).
Human Toll Undermined On‑Track Focus
He underscored that illness persisted for days: “Some of the drivers still were not feeling well the following seven days.” This human cost hampered team performance and safety in subsequent events ([EssentiallySports][1]).
A Pragmatic View on Race Site Options
Hamlin didn’t mourn the loss of the Mexico date alone. He backed the return of **Chicagoland Speedway**, describing it a “wide mile and a half” oval that historically delivers competitive racing and minimizes operational headaches ([EssentiallySports][1]).
International Expansion vs. Operational Feasibility
While NASCAR had sought international growth, Hamlin’s remarks framed the decision through pragmatic lenses: fan interest, logistical demands, financial bidding, and crew well‑being all weighed in the balance ([EssentiallySports][1]).
Taking Stock of Lessons for Future International Eventsamlin’s comments serve as a reality check: expansion ambitions must align with financial returns, crew health, and logistics readiness. For NASCAR to succeed abroad, all components have to sync — or risk being scaled back again.
