Picture this: A fleet of stock cars, roaring through a track known for hosting Formula 1 legends. No, this isn’t an alternate universe where Dale Earnhardt and Lewis Hamilton swap helmets; this is real. NASCAR is heading to Mexico City, and it’s not just dipping its tires in international waters; it’s diving in full throttle.But here’s the kicker: this isn’t just another road course race. The logistics are a nightmare, the timeline is tight and the margin for error? Basically nonexistent. NASCAR teams will be rushing from Michigan to Texas, swapping cars, then convoying into Mexico before bouncing back to Pocono Raceway. That’s a 15-day puzzle with thousands of moving parts, and even the smallest miscalculation could throw the whole operation off balance.The last time the Xfinity Series raced in Mexico was in 2008, and for the Cup Series, this marks the first international points race in over 60 years. It’s a bold move that could reshape the sport’s future. But how does NASCAR plan to make it work? Simple. They’re borrowing a few tricks from Formula 1.“We Have a Playbook from Formula 1, Too.” – Ben KennedyNASCAR has always been about speed, strategy, and spectacle. But taking a stock car series beyond U.S. borders presents a different kind of challenge. This isn’t a test of driving ability; it’s a logistical game of chess with military-grade precision. To make it happen, NASCAR has partnered with Rock-It-Cargo, the firm Formula 1 trusts with shipping its cars, gear, and everything in between around the world. Having a long history of experience in running complex motorsport logistics, Rock-It-Cargo has the expertise to turn this high-risk move into a reality.Rodrigo Sánchez, Marketing Director of Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, underscored how gigantic this undertaking is.“We’ve been using them for the last 10 years. For F1, the essential cargo comes by air eight planes but we also move 200 sea containers from Veracruz to Mexico City. That’s similar to what we’re doing with NASCAR.” While NASCAR’s logistical demands differ from F1’s, the core challenge remains the same: getting everything to the track on time, intact, and ready for race day. Unlike open-wheel cars, stock cars are heavier, bulkier, and require specialized handling. The support equipment pit boxes, tools, and spare parts add another layer of complexity to an already intricate process.Ben Kennedy, NASCAR’s Senior VP of Racing Development and Strategy, remains confident in the planning. “I’d say the planning has been really good so far. The good news is we have a bit of a playbook from when we brought the Xfinity Series there about 15 years ago. Plus, we can learn from F1’s logistics.” That playbook is proving crucial, as NASCAR has devised a carefully structured transport plan. Teams will make a stop in Texas to swap their cars before heading south. The Xfinity Series haulers will arrive in Mexico first on Monday, followed by the Cup Series haulers on Tuesday. By Friday, the entire operation will be unloaded and set up at the track. The precision of this process is remarkable, resembling a finely tuned military deployment rather than a typical race weekend.NASCAR is expanding globally, and Mexico City is a big step in that journey. Despite challenges, the excitement is greater. Hosting this event shows NASCAR’s commitment to reaching new markets and adapting to the global motorsport scene. When the race begins, it won’t just be another start; it will be a historic moment for the sport.As it turns out, NASCAR’s biggest stars are already on a tour of Mexico City to get a feel for what they can expect for the mega event in a few months.Chase Elliott and Christopher Bell impressed by the racing facility in MexicoThe 2.6-mile road course has been a regular in hosting Formula 1 races. But this year, apart from open-wheel racing, the track will roar with the sounds of American stock car races. Although the Cup Series race is scheduled for the month of June, the likes of Christopher Bell, Chase Elliott, Daniel Suarez and Ryan Blaney had a chance to visit the racing venue.All four drivers were joined by track management and took a tour of the entire facility on a gold cart. Although NASCAR drivers are used to seeing massive crowds in the grandstands, the arrangements at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez took them by surprise. “Honestly, I’ve been really impressed. There’s the stadium section hosting concerts in an intimate way and the park section for bike riders. It’s really unique and the track I think is a pretty cool layout too. I feel like it’s got a little bit of everything and it’s been a fun experience so far. I’d never been to Mexico City and this is pretty neat.” Elliott said.Meanwhile, Bell expects a packed house for the NASCAR weekends and was glad to see stock car racing finally hitting new playgrounds. “I think it’s going to be a banner weekend, and the crowd seems like it’s going to be very engaged and show up in a big way. I’m a big advocate of going to different venues, and coming here — this is a world-class facility. It’s a place we should be coming to. It’s going to be fun seeing it all unfold.”Apart from the tour of the racetrack, all four drivers were seen enjoying the local delicacies and participating in Mexican-style WWE action.The post NASCAR Relying on F1 Big Guns as It Reopens Mexico City Route appeared first on EssentiallySports.