NASCAR to Mexico? Dale Earnhardt Jr Sparks Rumors of Imminent International Expansion Amidst Decline at Historical Tracks

Short-track racing really hits the spot for fans and drivers alike. Ideally, NASCAR should be throwing more short tracks into the mix, like they did with North Wilkesboro, Iowa, and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, instead of cutting them out. However, NASCAR’s got a bigger puzzle to solve when it comes to nailing down the right rules for these tracks. Richmond has been a particular concern, with races turning out kind of dull.

To shake things up, NASCAR is thinking about heading down to Mexico. This buzz first started floating around in early April, but it picked up steam again recently when Dale Earnhardt Jr chimed in, voicing his letdown over the move.

Dale Earnhardt Jr isn’t happy with how NASCAR seems to be drifting away from short tracks 

During the offseason, NASCAR President Steve Phelps hinted that Richmond might lose one of its two annual race dates. This isn’t the first time we’ve heard such whispers about Richmond. Phelps mentioned that tracks typically hold onto their double dates if they sell out or deliver “extraordinary” racing. In recent years, NASCAR has pulled second dates from tracks like New Hampshire, Texas, Dover, Pocono, and Michigan due to underwhelming sales or performances.

Richmond hasn’t sold out a Cup Series race since 2008, and the quality of the racing there has been pretty hit-or-miss for the last decade. Combine so-so races with sparse crowds, and you’ve got a recipe for NASCAR looking elsewhere—Mexico. Dale Earnhardt Jr, a staunch supporter of short tracks, finds this shift particularly frustrating.

Junior laid out his frustration pretty straight, saying, “There’s nothing wrong with Richmond you know and we’re going to go we’re going to leave Richmond to go race in Mexico. We’re going to leave all these traditional ovals to go race a road course. […] What’s whittling away one of my favorite things short track seems to be because […] the package is not good right now. It’s uh easy for the industry to say let’s not go there. If our package isn’t good or our short track package isn’t exciting our fans are not enjoying it you know it’s the one that’s going to sacrifice.” 

He agreed that NASCAR is pumped about showcasing their races to a global audience, and it’s pretty awesome for the sport to hit up a new country and strut their stuff—just like the NFL and F1 do. NASCAR is aiming big, hoping to be successful enough to take their show on the road internationally and host some killer events. But as someone who loves the old-school ways, Dale Jr admits, “That’s tough for me.”

However, whether NASCAR’s move to Mexico is actually a win for the sport is still up in the air. What if fans abroad don’t get into it as much as the home crowd, who cheer on drivers from their own backyards who’ve made it big in NASCAR?

Can NASCAR really scale up globally like the NFL and F1 have?

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Well, this year’s race at Richmond was pretty standard fare by their standards, but honestly, the broadcast was a snoozer. NASCAR tried to spice things up a bit—rainy weather had the cars starting on wet-weather tires, making the first 30 laps pretty lively. But then, they called all the cars in for a switch to slicks during a dull, non-competitive pit stop, which really took the wind out of the sails.

After that, the talks about NASCAR moving to a new venue became even stronger. Their options aren’t endless, though. That’s why they’re eyeing an international race for 2025, with Mexico looking like the top pick. Adding a new spot means another one might get the axe.

Additionally, the buzz is building. Thanks to that Netflix docuseries, folks from all over are tuning into NASCAR, not just the traditional fan base. Like, Formula 1 wasn’t a big deal in the U.S. until Netflix dropped its ‘Drive to Survive‘ series in 2019, and look at it now. 

The NFL has been growing its fan base and raking in more dough by playing games in London since 2007, and more recently, in Mexico and Canada. NASCAR might just be on a similar track. Think about it—lots of us grew up on movies like “Cars,” and those kids are all grown up now, keeping the fandom alive. And, at every race, you see loads of kids and young adults in the stands. Maybe those “Cars” movies did leave a mark.

Or it could be those who watched NASCAR with their dads and carried that passion abroad. They’ve kept their love for the sport alive, even miles away from home. That’s why, NASCAR going international could be a dream come true for several drivers and audiences.