The NASCAR Cup Series went to Mexico for the first time this past weekend, with the trip largely drawing positive reviews. While a return to Mexico City in 2026 is on the table, it appears it might have to get rescheduled for another time, thanks to another trip to California.
On the latest episode of Bless Your Hardt, Dale Earnhardt Jr. said that he’s heard the NASCAR Cup Series race in Mexico City could get moved to another network and played during a different time of the season in 2026. In its place, San Diego could fill the void with a June race.
“What I hear, though, Mexico City may still be on the schedule, but it might move to a different network. Like a different part of the season. We may end up getting a San Diego on the schedule.”
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Recently, Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic reported that NASCAR officials are working on finalizing a deal to have a street course race in San Diego next year. It would mean a Cup Series return to Southern California for the first time in several years, though a deal isn’t official.
While NASCAR wants to expand its reach internationally and make points races outside of the United States more common, it also recognizes the importance of having at least one Cup Series race in Southern California. A trip to San Diego would provide that, with a street course race potentially offering an even better aesthetic in San Diego than in Chicago.
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There’s significant doubt about the Chicago Street Race continuing after the 2025 season. However, NASCAR is also working on a return to Chicagoland Speedway in the future, with driver Carson Hocevar recently saying that Chicagoland will be back in 2026.
If there is a NASCAR Cup Series race in Mexico City next season, the logistics will likely be very different. In 2025, NASCAR had its Cup Series teams go from Michigan to Mexico City to Pocono in a three-week span, which came with numerous travel issues and took a toll on truck drivers.
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In the event NASCAR returns to Mexico next year, the race could be scheduled earlier in the year, with a week off either before or after. Another alternative would be to hold the race around the same time as the COTA race, with the trip from Austin, Texas, to Mexico City meaning significantly less travel for all parties.
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