How higher elevation may affect NASCAR racing in Mexico City
MEXICO CITY — As the only NASCAR track a mile or more above sea level, Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City presents a unique challenge for Cup and Xfinity teams.
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City is by far the highest NASCAR track in elevation. In fact, it is about a mile higher than the second-highest track and much higher than other tracks NASCAR has been to this season:
- Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez: 7,350 feet above sea level
- Las Vegas Motor Speedway: 2,000 ft
- Second-highest track in elevation
- Michigan International Speedway: 991 ft
- Site of last week’s race
- Circuit of the Americas (Austin, Texas): 489 ft
- Site of the most recent NASCAR road course race weekend
Higher elevation means thinner air, which impacts a car’s engine performance and aerodynamics. A general rule of thumb among mechanics is, for every 1,000 feet of elevation gain, performance drops by about 3% for most cars.
Going from Las Vegas to Mexico City is around a 16% drop in performance. Going from COTA to Mexico City, that then goes up to a 20% drop.
Of course, NASCAR stock cars aren’t “most cars” – but other motorsports are a case study for the preparation NASCAR teams and suppliers needed to do for Mexico City.
“In nitro racing and drag racing, we used to go to Mile High Nationals at Denver and that [getting more compression] was always a big thing. So we would change compression, change piston heights and everything to try and get more compression in the motors to get more power at that high level. So, going to Mexico, it’s going to be difficult for those cars,” Brandon Bernstein said.
Bernstein followed in the footsteps of his father, Kenny, as a 19-time NHRA Top Fuel winner. Years later, he now works as the director of partnerships for Lucas Oil — the oil supplier for ECR Engines. ECR Engines provides engines for Richard Childress Racing and Kaulig Racing in the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series. They also provide engines for Trackhouse Racing in the Cup Series and seven other NASCAR Xfinity Series teams.
Needing to power seven Cup cars and 14 Xfinity Series this weekend, ECR Engines called on Lucas Oil to help prepare.
“With our oils, our additives and everything, we try and help in that aspect. ECR has got some tricks and things that they can tell and can’t tell…” Bernstein said.
Thinner air also means the engine doesn’t burn fuel as efficiently, leading to worse fuel mileage. To address that, Bernstein said teams will focus on the fuel system delivery and fuel maps.
“Those guys are going to have to be in those parameters and be able to do certain things,” Bernstein said, “but hopefully they’re going to let those guys do a little more tweaks just because of the less air and downforce and things like that… so hopefully they can make some power and be able to make some adjustments.”
Two practices are scheduled for the Cup Series and one long practice is scheduled for the Xfinity Series. Bernstein said that real-world time will be most valuable, even with all of the technology and simulations teams have.
“There’s so much AI, simulators…and things they can utilize and do on computers. I’m sure they’re going to get a good baseline,” Bernstein said. “But until you get out in the real world and put it on track, you’re not going to know. And I think just having a baseline and then making those adjustments on the fly is really what’s going to happen there in Mexico.
“It’s going to be cool to see how these crew chiefs and these engineers make these adjustments as real time and we’re going to see who’s the best out there.”
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Jonathan Fjeld View All
Jonathan Fjeld is the co-owner of the The Racing Experts, LLC. He has been with TRE since 2010.
A Twin Valley, MN, native, Fjeld became a motorsports fan at just three years old (first race was the 2002 Pennsylvania 500). He worked as a contributor and writer for TRE from 2010-18. Since then, he has stepped up and covered 24 NASCAR race weekends and taken on a larger role with TRE. He became the co-owner and managing editor in 2023 and has guided the site to massive growth in that time.
Fjeld has covered a wide array of stories and moments over the years, including Kevin Harvick's final Cup Series season, the first NASCAR national series disqualification in over 50 years, Shane van Gisbergen's stunning win in Chicago and the first Cup Series race at Road America in 66 years – as well as up-and-coming drivers' stories and stories from inside the sport, like the tech it takes for Hendrick Motorsports to remain a top-tier team.
Currently, he resides in Albuquerque, N.M., where he works for KOB 4, an NBC station. He works as a digital producer and does on-air reports. He loves spending time with friends and family, playing and listening to music, exploring new places, being outdoors, reading books and writing among other activities. You can email him at fjeldjonathan@gmail.com