Why NASCAR Must Stop Playing Catch-Up to Earn Global Respect NASCAR's push for global expansion is real, but without an international calendar and diverse drivers, do they risk falling behind? Saad Ra

It’s no secret that NASCAR has its sights set on international expansion. For years, the sport has looked beyond its traditional oval tracks, with the 2023 Chicago Street Race marking the start of a new era. Running stock cars through Michigan Avenue and Lake Shore Drive wasn’t a one-off gimmick either; it earned the ‘Sports Event of the Year’ at the 2024 Sports Business Awards. But then came the Mexico City race.

For the first time since 1958, a points-paying Cup Series fixture was held outside the United States. The Viva Mexico 250 even outperformed Formula 1 and IndyCar in TV ratings that weekend, with Daniel Suárez calling it a breakthrough moment: “That’s what we need.” Yet, beneath the surface, challenges quickly emerged.

NASCAR’s Mexico outing wasn’t all good after all

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