$200M Jeff Gordon makes opinion clear on NASCAR's international expansion, warns of potential challenges

Hendrick Motorsports vice chairman Jeff Gordon recently shared his thoughts on NASCAR going international and the underlying future racing prospects outside the United States. The sanctioning body has added a points-paying Cup Series race in Mexico City for the 2025 schedule.

Speaking to SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, the four-time Cup Series champion highlighted the tight schedule NASCAR might face while hosting the race at the iconic Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. Gordon, who is worth $200 million(according to Celebrity Net Worth), said:

"This is going to be really challenging, and test all of us doing this, this trip to Mexico City this year, because I think we've got, like, Michigan and Pocono right on either side of it. So it's gonna, it's gonna be tough."

However, Gordon believes going international is twofold as he then added:

"But I think it's the right thing to do, but it's a points race, right? So, that is the most unique thing that we've done internationally,"

However, the NASCAR Hall of Famer is optimistic about the huge turnout from the fans at the road course, not because of F1 being held in New Mexico but because of the passion for motorsports in general.

NASCAR Cup Series driver William Byron (left) with Jeff Gordon during the NASCAR Cup Series Championship - Source: Imagn

The 53-year-old also believes NASCAR would put on the "best show" if they could host an international points-paying race on the traditional oval tracks.

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NASCAR VP Ben Kennedy shares his thoughts on going international next season

Among several changes in the 2025 NASCAR season, hosting a regular-season race in an international territory stood out. Moreover, Ben Kennedy, NASCAR Executive Vice President and, chief venue and racing innovation officer, deems it a "monumental moment" in the sport's history.

NASCAR is set to partner with OCESA, a promoter for the F1 Grand Prix in New Mexico.

While elaborating on the addition of Mexico to the 2025 schedule, Kennedy said(via NASCAR):

"This is our first step of really taking the Cup Series internationally, and I think it could set us up for the future in potential new markets. I think we’ve been honest about our interest in taking our Cup Series abroad, whether that’s north of the border or south of the border, and then as we talk about some of our other races, there are opportunities for us to take the Cup Series even further than that."

Furthermore, Kennedy in a press release added:

"So, it’s going to be a big project for us. There’s a lot of questions that we have. I’m sure that the industry will have some questions as well, but excited to take this on, and to go to one of the biggest markets — not just in the country, but in the world — is going to be huge for our sport."

The 2025 New Mexico race will be the first event for the Cup Series, however, it won't be for drivers like Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin. NASCAR hosted Xfinity Series races at the Hermanos Rodríguez circuit from 2005 to 2008.