When one door closes, another opens! NASCAR fans are actually eager to see that door finally close. Bidding farewell to a 67-year-old relationship with a hallowed short track, bittersweet feelings are on the line. Yet several reasons convince fans to accept that dismal fate, considering Richmond Raceway‘s plummeting racing product and audience turnout in recent years.

The Henrico County 3/4-mile track hosted the chaotic Austin Dillon race a few weeks ago. That and an entry into Mexico may have signaled NASCAR to finally bring the axe down on the schedule. Drivers and fans, surprisingly, wholeheartedly accepted this decision.

NASCAR lets go of one Richmond event

The 2025 season has already begun seeping through the corners. After widespread rumors about NASCAR’s schedule change, one bastion has finally fallen. Richmond Raceway has been an annual staple on the Cup Series grid for ages. Lee Petty won the first race there in 1953 in a Dodge with a speed of 45.53 mph. Since 1958, the racetrack has hosted two races per season except for the Covid buffer in 2020. Finally, as per the NY Times, NASCAR is letting go of its springtime race in Richmond while retaining the summer one.

The reasons are simple—the business it brings!

Richmond has not lived up to its sellout history of 100,000 plus witnessed two decades ago. The Virginia short track has struggled in recent years, failing to produce high-quality racing that has kept fans out as well. Joe Gibbs Racing driver and Virginia native Denny Hamlin concurred with this decision. “Sometimes it’s usually the cycles you have to go through. And so hopefully it’s a learning moment for the track and everyone involved. It certainly is a shame if it goes to one week (each year), but the audience here has made it warranted.”

Apr 3, 2022; Richmond, Virginia, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (11) celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond International Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports

The addition of the Mexico City race to the 36-race schedule is the replacement for the Richmond loss. The 66-year-old Mexican racetrack was remodeled in 2015, being a popular fixture on the F1 grid. Now NASCAR is adding its own weight there. “I think it’s a great thing for the sport,” Martin Truex Jr., who won the inaugural Xfinity race in Mexico City, said. “I remember the fans there; it was nuts. They were everywhere. And loud, I could hear them in the car when I won the race.” 

Although NASCAR fans have yet to taste the Mexican experience, they are eager to let go of Richmond.

But, surprisingly, the loss is welcomed!

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The motorsport community has been expecting this Richmond debacle for months. Although NASCAR does not release crowd-size figures, official actions have given plenty of hints about Richmond’s falling fortune. For instance, track authorities have removed the backstretch grandstands.

One fan lamented the track’s turn of fate, “Yeah this was a foregone conclusion. The racing has suffered greatly over the past 10 years or so, but even when I went to a Cup race in 2011 it wasn’t anywhere close to a sellout, though that was before they demolished the backstretch stands.”

However, when we consider the race at Phoenix Raceway, it marked a milestone for NASCAR this year, boasting the largest year-over-year (YoY) viewership boost of the season. With 4.03 million fans tuning in to see Christopher Bell snag his first win of the year, the event saw a remarkable 19% jump in viewers compared to 2023.

The local fans know the truth, as they dialed down the hype. “I live across the street, I’m sad but not surprised. Local advertising – they do a freaking abysmal job… for as much praise as Lori Waran seems to get.”

For Richmond, despite the capacity cut down to 50,000 now, NASCAR kept hopes alive. Richmond Raceway president Lori Waran indicated some events saw a rebound in attendance. Another fan tipped their hat to the authority for maintaining Richmond’s status for this long. “I would argue the fact that it managed to keep two dates for even this long is a testament to NASCAR’s respect for the track.”

While others focused on the future prospects. Although Mexico City marks the first international points-paying race since 1958, one fan is optimistic. “It’s a change that was needed, I don’t love the track they picked to switch to, I think there were other options but I am also willing to give the Mexico date a chance and see how it goes.” 

A fan even suggested viable options for locals in Richmond. They can make the most out of this change in a business sense. “Richmond should make the most of this by pouring all their resources into their remaining race weekend. I think they can sell it out, and find other ways to make up for the lost revenue.”

Evidently, NASCAR fans are ready to say their final goodbye to the springtime Richmond race. This event, although bittersweet, holds bright prospects in Mexico.