NASCAR Rant Report - Friday, June 13th

NASCAR's Return to Mexico, Hamlin Will Not Race, Garage 56 Le Mans Documentary Debuts on Prime, and more!

Major headlines out of Wednesday & Thursday:

Previewing NASCAR's Return to Mexico
Denny Hamlin Will Not Race After Birth of Son
Garage 56 Le Mans Documentary Debuts on Prime

Plus, miscellaneous topics so far this week.

Previewing NASCAR's Return to Mexico:

NASCAR is returning to international competition with its first-ever points-paying Cup Series race in Mexico City, the Viva Mexico 250, held at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. This marks the first such event outside the U.S. since 1958 and represents a significant step in NASCAR’s global expansion strategy.

The Mexico City circuit, situated at 7,500 feet above sea level, presents unique challenges due to its high altitude. Many drivers and team members have undergone extensive preparation to adapt to the thin air, which can affect both physical and mental performance.

Daniel Suárez, the only Mexican-born driver in the Cup Series, has taken on a dual role as both competitor and cultural ambassador. With deep ties to the venue and a strong local following, Suárez is under pressure to perform well amid contract uncertainties with Trackhouse Racing.

The race weekend has not been without complications. Travel logistics proved difficult, with aircraft issues delaying the arrival of several teams and forcing NASCAR to adjust the schedule. Despite these setbacks, the event is expected to draw significant attention, both for its competitive implications and its symbolic importance in expanding NASCAR’s reach.

Check out our Source Materials Page for more on this topic.

Want some non-AI content? Check out the previous Editorial:
Motorsports ‘Hot or Not’ #2

Denny Hamlin Will Not Race After Birth of Son:

Denny Hamlin will miss the race in Mexico City to be with his fiancée, Jordan Fish, following the birth of their third child, a son, on June 11. Hamlin, who has made 406 consecutive Cup starts since 2014, prioritized his family over racing this weekend, stating that his focus is on supporting Jordan and transitioning into life as a family of five. Despite the birth occurring midweek, Hamlin opted not to travel internationally, citing the logistical challenges and his desire to remain close to home. JGR will apply for a playoff waiver for Hamlin, which NASCAR is expected to grant, as the birth of a child qualifies under the updated rules for medical or personal exemptions.

In his absence, Joe Gibbs Racing has tapped Ryan Truex, the team’s reserve and simulator driver, to pilot the No. 11 Toyota at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. This marks Truex’s first Cup Series start since 2014 and a significant opportunity to showcase his talent in a top-tier car. Truex, the younger brother of 2017 Cup champion Martin Truex Jr., has recently found success in the Xfinity Series with multiple wins for JGR.

Check out our Source Materials Page for more on this topic.

Garage 56 Le Mans Documentary Debuts on Prime:

The Amazon Prime Video documentary, ‘American Thunder: NASCAR to Le Mans,’ serves as a centerpiece in NASCAR’s evolving media strategy and its broader push into streaming. The film chronicles the ambitious Garage 56 project, which saw a modified NASCAR Cup Series Car compete in the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans with racing legends Jimmie Johnson, Jenson Button, and Mike Rockenfeller behind the wheel. It also aligns with Prime Video’s broader effort to elevate NASCAR content and storytelling.

This documentary arrives amid NASCAR’s first season of exclusive race broadcasts on Amazon Prime Video, a move that has generated both excitement and scrutiny. While overall viewership has declined—averaging 2.27 million viewers across the first three races, down 21% from the previous year’s cable broadcasts—the shift has yielded significant gains in younger demographics. Viewership among adults aged 18–34 has surged by over 30%, with similar increases in the 18–49 and 25–54 brackets. The median viewer age has dropped from over 62 on cable to 56.5 on Prime, signaling a successful pivot toward a younger, more digitally engaged audience.

Despite concerns from some traditional fans about accessibility and declining total viewership, NASCAR and Amazon appear committed to the long game. The early results mirror the NFL’s initial transition to Prime, where viewership dipped before rebounding in later seasons. NASCAR is betting on a similar trajectory, with the Garage 56 documentary and its broader streaming strategy working in tandem to modernize the sport and expand its reach.

Check out our Source Materials Page for more on this topic.

Miscellaneous:

Chase Elliott’s “Desi9n to Drive” Returns with Powerful Message
Chase Elliott will once again spotlight Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta through his “Desi9n to Drive” initiative. For the ninth year, a young patient has designed the paint scheme for Elliott’s No. 9 NAPA Chevrolet. This year’s design comes from 11-year-old Rhealynn Mills, a cancer survivor who has undergone 19 surgeries. Her artwork, filled with symbols of healing and hope, will be featured during the June 28 race at EchoPark Speedway (formerly Atlanta Motor Speedway). The initiative has raised nearly $500,000 to date and includes a sweepstakes for fans to win race-worn gear and meet Elliott.

Alex Bowman Cleared to Race After Major Crash
Alex Bowman has been cleared to race in Mexico City following a severe crash at Michigan International Speedway, where he hit the wall head-on at 150 mph. Despite lingering soreness and a history of injuries, Bowman will compete, with Anthony Alfredo on standby. Bowman, currently 13th in the standings, is looking to rebound from a rough stretch of finishes and hopes to capitalize on his road course strengths.

Arby’s Joins NASCAR as Founding Partner of Chicago Street Race
Arby’s has been named a Founding Partner of the 2025 NASCAR Chicago Street Race, joining Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois and Xfinity’s Xumo brand. The fast-food chain will also sponsor Cody Ware’s No. 51 Ford Mustang and host fan activations during the July 4th weekend event. The race has been recognized as “Sports Event of the Year” and will feature reduced ticket prices and new single-day options.

Cam Waters Withdraws from Chicago Street Race
Australian Supercars driver Cam Waters will not participate in the upcoming Chicago Street Race, despite earlier speculation. The deal reportedly fell through before finalization.

Justin Haley to Drive Dorman-Sponsored Car at Pocono
Dorman Products will sponsor Justin Haley’s No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet at the upcoming Pocono Cup Series race. The partnership, now in its fifth year, emphasizes shared values of innovation and community engagement.

Nick Sanchez Sponsorship for Mexico City Xfinity Race: Nick Sanchez will drive the Big Machine Label Group No. 20 Chevy, celebrating the label’s 20th anniversary.

Alex Labbé Sponsorship for Mexico City Xfinity Race: Alex Labbé will pilot the No. 07 SS-GreenLight Racing Chevrolet with backing from Bella Sun Luci, a premium sun-dried tomato brand expanding its presence in Mexico.

Tribute to Tony Witt
Spire Motorsports will honor the late Tony Witt, a suspension mechanic with the team, who passed away on June 6. Witt had a long career in NASCAR and will be remembered with decals on all three Spire entries in Mexico City.

Ron Devine Pleads Guilty in Tax Case
Former BK Racing team owner Ron Devine pleaded guilty to failing to pay payroll taxes between 2012 and 2017. He diverted over $2 million in withheld employee taxes to other businesses. Devine faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Check out our Source Materials Page for more on these topics.

Rant Report Fantasy League Results:

NASCAR Fantasy League Results
Michigan International Speedway
RankNamePoints
1Driver3019188
2Gooddoctor33174
3BertL157
4SgtSalt140
5Sauce Mafia122
6Justyn10
League Standings
RankNamePoints
1Gooddoctor332541
2Driver30192488
3SgtSalt2358
4BertL2160
5Sauce Mafia1984
6Justyn11730

Viva Mexico 250 Television Schedule:

TODAY - Friday, June 13
4:05 p.m., NASCAR Cup Series: Practice 1 at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Prime Video
5:30 p.m., NASCAR Cup Series: Practice 2 at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Prime Video

TOMORROW - Saturday, June 14
11:05 a.m., NASCAR Xfinity Series: Practice at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, The CW App
12:10 p.m., NASCAR Xfinity Series: Qualifying at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, The CW App
2:05 p.m., NASCAR Cup Series: Practice and Qualifying at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez , Prime Video
4 p.m., NASCAR Countdown Live, The CW
4:30 p.m., NASCAR Xfinity Series: The Chilango 150 at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, The CW
7 p.m., ARCA Menards Series: Berlin ARCA 200 at Berlin Raceway, FS1

Sunday, June 15
2 p.m., NASCAR Cup Series: Viva Mexico 250 at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Prime Video

This newsletter is constructed by AI and reviewed by our editorial team.

Check out our Source Materials Page for today’s 72 sources.

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