NASCAR is set to hold a Cup Series level race in Mexico City on June 15th. (See NASCAR Set to Run Cup Series Race in Mexico City Next June.) The second-level Xfinity race is scheduled for June 14th, also in Mexico City.
The trick is, there’s a NASCAR Cup Series race a week previous, on June 8th, in Michigan at the Michigan International Speedway.
So what does NASCAR have to do to move all its cars, personnel and equipment to Mexico City?
From Pro Football & Sports Network: “Organizing a race is more challenging than most people imagine. There are hundreds of moving parts behind the scenes, and it can be taxing. This becomes all the more difficult if the competition is outside the national border. As NASCAR heads to Mexico City for its first international points race since 1958, it is undoubtedly an exciting time for the sport. But with all the excitement and curiosity, the contest also presents some challenges and constraints, primarily logistical. Tom Bryant, the VP of Racing Operations at NASCAR, recently addressed this issue and explained what the team has been doing to tackle it.”
Here’s a photo of Tom Bryant:
Back to the article: “After the upcoming weekend at Michigan International Speedway, NASCAR will move in a completely different direction, landing at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City.“
Here’s an aerial photo of the Hermanos Rodriguez track from 2024:
“While the race’s planning began a year ago, NASCAR has already started the execution phase. Several race logistics trucks arrived in Mexico earlier this week.“
The next lot of trucks is set to begin their journey on Sunday, June 8, right after the FireKeepers Casino 400 in Michigan.
Bryant mentioned the biggest challenge was the time and the distance between the two locations. A trip from Michigan to Mexico City takes about 40 hours by road, plus the safety of the logistics in the trucks has to be a priority.
“We’ve got to get these people and these things from this point to that point within a certain time period. How do we do it in a way that’s going to best position us to be ready to go to work as soon as we hit the ground down there? Because this is a pretty tight window,” Bryant said.
The XFinity (NASCAR’s second level) race is scheduled for June 14th.
“NASCAR and the teams will have a busy weekend. The Xfinity Series cars will begin their Mexican escapade from North Carolina on Saturday, June 7. They will arrive in Laredo, Texas, on Sunday morning, from where Bryant will assist in overseeing and coordinating the border crossing of Xfinity Series teams.”
The Cup Series is NASCAR’s highest level.
“For the Cup cars, the teams will swap vehicles and begin preparations during the contest itself, departing as soon as the checkered flag is raised. The teams are scheduled to arrive in Mexico City on Tuesday, June 10, and finally enter the track on Thursday, June 12.”
“Bryant, once again emphasizing the extremely tight window, also added, ‘It better happen on time.’ “
“While Bryant himself has a logistics background, pulling off such a big event by himself would be quite a stretch. To ensure smooth functioning on the backend, NASCAR has partnered with Rock-It Cargo.”
“The company also handles the infamous Formula One haulers, moving them internationally, and bagged the contract for the upcoming World Cup.”
“ ‘We’re anticipating no issues. Those guys [Rock-It Cargo] have been doing it for 45 years and haven’t had an issue, so knock on wood, we’re gonna keep that record going for them,’ Bryant said.“
“The current plan, although solid, works if things go according to schedule.”
Isn’t that true of any plan?