NASCAR is gearing up for a historic moment in 2025 by hosting its first international points race. The much-anticipated race will take place at the legendary Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City. This expansion is a significant milestone, reflecting NASCAR’s ambition to grow its footprint beyond the United States.

The move has ignited excitement among fans, particularly in Mexico, where racing fervor is unparalleled. With the The Mexican Grand Prix is already a fan-favorite on the Formula 1 calendar. NASCAR’s addition brings another exciting event to Mexico. However, Mexican star Pato O’Ward has shocked both NASCAR and his fans ahead of the upcoming season. In a recent interview, he gave a candid verdict on his chances to participate in the iconic event.

Will Pato O’Ward participate in the Mexico City NASCAR event?

While NASCAR’s Mexico City debut is a win for the sport, local hero Pato O’Ward has poured cold water on fans’ hopes for his participation in the event. In a recent interview with Bob Pockrass of Fox Sports, the young IndyCar Superstar revealed that scheduling issues would not allow him to participate in the event.

“The chances, I would say in 2025, are slim because till I get my Indy 500, till I get my IndyCar Championship, my full focus is on IndyCar. Once I’ve done that, I told Zak [Brown] that I’m open to scout out some cool opportunities in NASCAR here in America,” Pato O’Ward told Bob Pockrass. These remarks come as a major letdown for NASCAR and Mexican fans eager to see O’Ward compete on home soil.

This comes amid rumors that O’Ward might race in the Xfinity event in Mexico City on June 14. He would then fly back to compete in the IndyCar race at Worldwide Technology Raceway on Saturday. However, his recent comments reflect that the young Mexican driver is not keen to appear this year. It’s worth noting that in December 2024, he had hinted that he would race in Mexico in 2026.

“I would love to. I wish we could have done it as soon as the first time, which is next year, but it’s when we go to Gateway, and obviously, my priorities lie in IndyCar, but I would love to do the next one and I don’t have an interest in doing another race and I think it’d be cool,” said O’Ward.

While O’Ward has dropped the plan to race in Mexico City, his countryman Daniel Suarez is all set to participate in the iconic event. He will wheel the No. 99 Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing in the upcoming season. Suarez is a two-time Cup race winner and has been a key driver in the Trackhouse lineup. The team will also partner with Freeway Insurance to sponsor his run in one-third of the races.

O’Ward slams IndyCar for poor planning!

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The 25-year-old Pato O’Ward has been very vocal about racing in his hometown. Since joining IndyCar in 2018, he has been advocating for races in Mexico City. However, after NASCAR’s move to the iconic track, O’Ward believes that the series has missed its window of opportunity. Recently in an interview, he slammed the organizing body by revealing the true nature of Mexican fans.

“They beat us to the cake. We’re not only late, but I strongly believe that there isn’t more room in Mexico City. You need to understand that these people save up their money to go to these events,” said O’Ward, revealing how price-sensitive the market is in Mexico. His comments also reflect his disappointment at losing the first-mover opportunity. However, O’Ward also said that he would love to race in Mexico City.

“It’s some of the best fans in the world. They’re so passionate. You see how successful the Formula 1 Grand Prix is there, and it’s a dream of mine to race in front of Mexican fans there,” said the 25-year-old. While NASCAR opportunity looks thinner for O’Ward, fans can expect him to have a run in Formula 1 soon.

With Sergio Perez’s departure from F1, the sport finds itself without a Mexican representative, sparking calls for O’Ward to fill that void. Sergio Perez’s father Antonio Perez Garibay recently expressed his desire to see more Latin American drivers in F1. “We are going to work for a Mexican to return to Formula 1. Hopefully, soon we can have a Pato O’Ward or other young Mexicans in Formula 1. I think McLaren should open the door for him,” Perez Senior told media.

O’Ward drove for McLaren in a practice session at last year’s Mexican Grand Prix. He impressed fans and team members with his performance. His aggressive driving and composure under pressure make him a strong F1 prospect. However, McLaren’s current drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, are performing well. This makes it tough for O’Ward to secure a spot on the team.