Hauler Talk: Lessons learned from Cup Series’ first foray into Mexico City
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Though NASCAR has yet to confirm if the Cup Series will return to Mexico City next season, lessons from the inaugural race at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez already are reverberating.
In a review of the first international Cup points race of the modern era, the latest episode of the “Hauler Talk” podcast revealed numerous takeaways, and some could be applied this season.
NASCAR managing director of racing communications Mike Forde said the tire packs installed throughout the 15-turn, 2.42-mile road course were effective in minimizing the track limits violations that have been a nuisance in recent road course races. There had been reluctance to use the tire packs because of potential race disruptions, but Forde said there was only one significant impact that moved a barrier a few feet without necessitating a caution flag.
“I think you’re going to see a lot more of it moving forward at road courses,” Forde said of the tire packs. “It seems like such a rudimentary solve, but it's one that worked.”
The trip across the border wasn’t without issues as the arrivals of some Cup and Xfinity teams were delayed by two planes being grounded. Forde said NASCAR would consider arriving a day earlier for future international events or allowing teams autonomy in managing their travel (which was centralized for the Mexico City trip).
Forde also addressed multiple incidents involving Carson Hocevar during the weekend. NASCAR took no action after the Spire Motorsports driver was involved in an altercation with Ricky Stenhouse Jr., but Forde said there would be “extra eyes for sure in Pocono” on the two drivers who also tangled at Nashville Superspeedway. “I don't think we plan to sit either of them down before the race (in Pocono), but we'll be on the lookout,” Forde said.
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After questions about whether Hocevar intentionally caused the final caution of the Mexico City race by stalling after a spin, Forde said NASCAR determined no foul play (noting the driver lost a lap under the yellow).
Other topics covered during the 19th episode of “Hauler Talk,” which explores competition issues in NASCAR:
-- Why Zane Smith had to serve a penalty after his No. 38 Ford was repaired from crash damage.
-- Kyle Larson earning a point for the race’s fastest lap despite finishing 36th after his No. 5 Chevrolet was damaged in an early wreck. Forde said there would be no changes to the rule, but NASCAR intended to be rigorous with inspections to ensure the legality of damaged cars that set the fastest lap in a race.
-- The waiver policy that allowed Denny Hamlin to miss the race for his newborn son without having an impact on his playoff points. Forde said childbirth had been codified in the rulebook before the season as a medical reason for being granted a playoff waiver.
-- How Alex Bowman was able to receive clearance to race despite lingering injuries from his crash at Michigan International Speedway.
-- The timeline and criteria for determining if Mexico City would return to the 2026 schedule.