Report: NASCAR considering major late change to Mexico City race weekend amid logistics challenges

NASCAR could be making a big change for the Cup Series race at Mexico City this weekend. According to motorsports reporter Matt Weaver, NASCAR may be moving both practices to Saturday due to logistics challenges.

This likely has to do with multiple NASCAR personnel having travel issues. Weaver previously reported that a flight carrying NASCAR industry members to Mexico City failed to take off from the airport in Charlotte on Thursday afternoon, and the passengers were flown on different flights. He also said another plane scheduled to for Mexico City also had issues.

NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Ryan Ellis was the first to report an issue with the flight. On X/Twitter, Ellis wrote, “Cancel that, plane attempted takeoff, plane made a small boom, we are headed back.” He then shared a post of himself being on another plane and writing “Mexico bound.”

Dale Earnhardt Jr. also had minor flight issues to Mexico City, “Taking off from NC. Was delayed a bit because of weather at the next waypoint. Mexico bound,” Earnhardt wrote on X/Twitter.

The Mexico City race is big for NASCAR as it’s the first time the governing body has had an international points race since the 1950s. One driver who going to really enjoy the experience is Daniel Suárez who is a native of Monterrey, Mexico.

More on the NASCAR Mexico City Cup Series race

“It’s very special,” Suárez told ESPN. “Honestly, it’s very difficult to put into perspective for people. Only those who really know me very well understand how important and special this is for me.

“After a lot of work and sacrifices, I was able to make it in NASCAR Mexico, and at one point in my life, that was my goal — that was my ultimate goal. I was able to get there at an early age, which gave me hope to be able to do something in the United States.”

Suárez added, “And now coming back to my home country as a NASCAR Cup Series winner and an Xfinity Series champion, all these different things, it’s very special. Not just for me, but a lot of people who have been in my corner for many, many years, for the fans, the media, for Mexico. They have known me for many years. So, it’s very special.”