Back in 2023, NASCAR shook things up by banning Cup Series drivers from racing in the Xfinity Series event at the Chicago Street Course. The idea was simple—keep things fair and stop Cup stars from using the Xfinity race as an extra practice session. While it made sense on paper, some fans were gutted. After all, who wouldn’t want to see their favorite Cup drivers in action twice in one weekend?

Fast forward to 2025, and it seems NASCAR’s had a change of heart—at least when it comes to their first big race weekend in Mexico City. Bob Pockrass, the go-to guy for all things NASCAR at FOX Sports, broke the news on social media, and let’s just say it’s got people talking.

Lifting the ban: Bob Pockrass breaks the news

On X, Bob Pockrass let the cat out of the bag: “NASCAR confirmed that full-time Cup drivers will be allowed to do the Xfinity race at Mexico City in 2025 (a couple of years ago at Chicago, NASCAR didn’t let Cup drivers do the Xfinity race).”

It’s a big shift, and Pockrass has a pretty good idea why NASCAR is going this route. He explained in a follow-up post on X, “My guess is that for the Mexican fans and as far away Mexico City is from any other Cup race, they wouldn’t mind some Cup names in that Xfinity race so those fans who follow the sport can see them twice.”

Unlike Chicago, where NASCAR prioritized fairness, the Mexico City weekend is all about the fans. And honestly, it makes sense. For many in Mexico, this will be their first chance to see NASCAR’s top talent live, and NASCAR’s decided to go all-in to make it special.

Of course, not everyone’s thrilled. Some worry this move could overshadow Xfinity regulars and make it harder for up-and-coming talent to shine. Historically, Cup drivers have dominated when they step into lower-tier series, which can leave little room for the next generation of stars to make their mark.

The race is set for June 14-15 at the legendary Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, and it’s already shaping up to be a star-studded affair. Shane van Gisbergen, fresh off his rookie Cup season, is one of the big names pulling double duty. He’ll be driving the JR Motorsports #9 Chevrolet in the Xfinity series, with teammate Ross Chastain also joining the action.

Shane van Gisbergen speaks out

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Shane van Gisbergen didn’t waste any time sharing his excitement. The three-time Australian Supercars Champion, who’s recently been announced as a full-time Cup series driver for Trackhouse Racing, posted on X: “Looking forward to doing some @NASCAR XFinity Races this year with @JRMotorsports in Mexico City, Chicago, Sonoma & Watkins Glen!”

For van Gisbergen, the Mexico City race is a chance to sharpen his skills on a new track while giving fans a double dose of his racing brilliance. And let’s be honest—having one of NASCAR’s premier road course racers in the mix will only add to the excitement.

So, why did NASCAR ban Cup drivers from Xfinity races in the first place? It all started in Chicago, a race that Van Gisbergen astonishingly won on debut back in 2023. NASCAR wanted to keep the playing field level and ensure that full-time Xfinity drivers had a fair shot at glory without seasoned Cup veterans swooping in to dominate.

There’s also the matter of fairness during the playoffs. NASCAR’s rules bar Cup drivers from joining Xfinity and Truck Series playoff races to prevent them from influencing championship outcomes. As Bob Pockrass explained back then, “Cup drivers aren’t allowed in Truck/Xfinity final eight races (regular-season finale & playoffs) so they don’t influence the title race by running up front/taking wins.”

But for standalone events like Mexico City’s debut race, the focus shifts. This time, it’s less about competition rules and more about giving fans an unforgettable experience. For Mexican NASCAR fans, this is a rare chance to see the sport’s biggest names in action twice over the weekend—and NASCAR seems determined to deliver.

For now, it seems NASCAR is prioritizing the big picture. For fans in Mexico City, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see their heroes up close. And for NASCAR, it’s a chance to make history in a market that’s been waiting decades for its moment in the spotlight.