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NASCAR influencer Eric Estepp delivered his verdict on the sanctioning body allowing full-time Cup Series drivers to participate in the Xfinity Series race in Mexico. He feels that it could be an "expensive" affair for the smaller teams in the series.
The Xfinity Series will be racing in Mexico City for the first time since 2008 as NASCAR returns to racing outside of the US after a long hiatus. This race is also set to feature a couple of entries of drivers from the Cup Series who are taking part in the Xfinity Series on a part-time basis this season.
Earlier, NASCAR did not allow full-time Cup Series drivers to participate in Xfinity races, but they are allowed to do so now. While this is a good move for fans in Mexico who would want to see the most prominent drivers in action, Estepp mentioned the other side of this situation which is a difficult time for the smaller teams. He feels it could be an expensive race for them.
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"I see both sides again. On this hand, SVG versus Kyle Larson was a fantastic show at Chicago this past summer. If I'm a fan in Mexico City, I want to see the big names race as much as possible. But on the other hand, if all these Xfinity teams start bringing extra cars for Cup Series guys, for ringers, I could see this being a very expensive weekend for the smaller Xfinity Series teams. it's like a 32-hour drive from Charlotte to Mexico City plus you got to cross the border in Texas. That's expensive."
Eric Estepp proposes a "balance" between regular NASCAR Xfinity drivers and Cup Series drivers
While he feels that bringing extra cars for the Cup Series drivers could be an expensive affair for the smaller teams in the Xfinity Series, Eric Estepp proposed something similar to what NASCAR implied earlier in Chicago where the Cup Series drivers were not allowed to participate in Xfinity races.
Estepp proposed that there could be an alternation where the Cup drivers would not participate in Xfinity Series in the first year. This would give more exposure to the regular drivers, and then the following year the rules could be relaxed for both. He added this would strike a balance.
"I wish NASCAR had done what they did for Chicago. Year one, Cup guys can't participate. No extra track time, don't bring them extra cars, let the Xfinity regulars have their moment to shine. Year two, sure, let the Cup guys race. I understand wanting the biggest names on the racetrack but I think there could be a balance."
The Xfinity Series race in Mexico is scheduled for June 14. It will be held at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
