From the moment NASCAR announced its return to Mexico, skeptics had their engines revving. The logistics? A nightmare. Altitude concerns? Real. Fan expectations? Sky-high. The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, better known for Formula 1 finesse than stock car chaos, seemed like an odd stage for NASCAR’s thunderous return. And let’s not forget the drivers, many of whom had never laid rubber on the circuit, wrestling their machines through tight corners and unforgiving curves.Pundits questioned the point. Some called it a gimmick. Others wondered if the show could even hold up. But everything changed once the green flag dropped. It didn’t just silence the doubts. It got an entire country’s media literally on their feet. Turns out, you don’t need to explain NASCAR. You just need to let it loose.NASCAR makes a roaring impression in Mexico CityDaniel Suárez didn’t just win Saturday’s Chilango 150. Rather, he lit the fuse. Piloting the No. 9 JR Motorsports Chevy, Suárez survived a late-race restart and defended Taylor Gray on the final lap to win his home race in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. But, before that, he survived an early qualifying crash, started from the back of the field in a backup car, yet still led 19 of the 65 laps.This fighting performance by the Monterrey native did more than help him secure his fourth career NASCAR Xfinity win and first of 2025. It put to rest doubts critics were having about his performance in the 2025 season and set the precedent for an impressive result in the Cup Series race tomorrow after qualifying in the top 10. ‘We’re making history together,’ Suárez had said before the start of the weekend. And going by today’s result, he has done his part, for sure.However, beyond lap times, race pace, and a win for the local guy, it was the reaction from the NASCAR community that mattered. They were apprehensive of NASCAR going down south, amidst all the tensions. But, as soon as the green flag dropped on lap 1, the NASCAR Mexico community, specifically the media, responded. Not with skepticism, but with sheer joy.Motorsports reporter Matt Weaver may have summed it up best. After just one lap of racing, he posted on X, “The Mexican media, experiencing one lap of our beloved NASCAR Xfinity Series product are losing their collective s— with excitement after that opening sequence. Constant ‘oohs’ and ‘ahs.'” The Mexican media, experiencing one lap of our beloved NASCAR Xfinity Series product are losing their collective s— with excitement after that opening sequence.Constant ‘oohs’ and ‘ahs.’We’re like, yeah, this is what they do every week. Can I interest you in Martinsville?— Matt Weaver (@MattWeaverRA) June 14, 2025It was the kind of visceral reaction rarely seen anymore, even at marquee U.S. events. What they were watching wasn’t just a race. Rather, it was an experience, a cultural collision, a moment of shared adrenaline. And the Mexican media wasn’t alone in feeling it. Online chatter exploded. Social feeds were packed with excited comments from the NASCAR community. It was as if NASCAR had found a new heartbeat, one pulsing in rhythm with mariachi music and national pride.High stakes & higher spirits headline MexicoNASCAR’s historic weekend in Mexico City ignited a firestorm of emotion among fans, online and in the stands. One fan commented, “If the XFINITY car was the cup car, this sport would somewhat redeem itself.” The sport, especially the Cup Series, has long been criticized for losing the spark that once lit up short tracks and superspeedways alike. This is because of several reasons, one of them being the lack of overtaking in the Next-Gen car. Even current Cup drivers have admitted the Xfinity car promotes a better racing product, and fans were a witness to this on Saturday.However, the best moment of the day was undoubtedly local hero Daniel Suárez’s win. As another fan put it, “Daniel’s win is the icing on top.. a popular victory.” Today’s win told a story of homegrown pride. Suárez isn’t just racing in NASCAR; over the years, he has paved the way for a Mexican NASCAR identity. From being the only Mexican driver to win in the NASCAR Cup Series and win a National Series Championship (2016 Xfinity Series) to embracing mariachi‑style pageantry on the track, Suárez has become the face of NASCAR in Mexico. He is helping popularize the sport like no one other in Mexico, as NASCAR is focusing on expanding internationally.Now, what if this magic becomes a tradition? That’s exactly what one fan pointed out. “If they have this next year run the double header, road course – oval weekend,” they said. Mexico has the infrastructure. Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez does include an oval. Plus, other tracks like Puebla’s Miguel E. Abed already host oval events for the NASCAR México Series. Imagine a full-speed oval showdown under the Mexican sun!And then there’s the press box culture clash. “Wasn’t there a story from the LA Coliseum last year about a non-US reporter getting the “No cheering in the press box” talk? Seems like a cultural difference,” one fan reminded. Well, it’s one of the cardinal rules of sports writing. But Matt Weaver’s description of “collective oohs and ahs” wasn’t just a color-infused anecdote; it was a reflection of a national celebration and a mark of admiration towards the quality of racing NASCAR has brought to Mexico.Then, there were warm praises. One fan succinctly summarized the experience of the NASCAR Xfinity race, “Love all of this. New friends. ” This wasn’t just an event. It was a fusion of cultures, a full-throttle handshake between tradition and thunderous new beginnings. And with the Cup Series race looming, the stakes only rise from here.The post NASCAR Community Drops the Hammer on Their Mexico Return With Strong Emotions appeared first on EssentiallySports.