When Jeff Gordon tells drivers to start their engines this Sunday, it’ll be more than just the beginning of a race—it’ll mark the start of a new chapter in NASCAR history.
The four-time Cup Series champion and Hall of Famer has been tapped as the “Official Commander” for the inaugural Viva Mexico 250, the highly anticipated NASCAR Cup Series debut at Mexico City’s Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. Set against the vibrant backdrop of a city bursting with racing passion, the event is already shaping up to be one of the crown jewels of the 2025 calendar.
For Gordon, who helped shape NASCAR’s modern era and broaden its fanbase, the moment carries special weight. His résumé speaks for itself: 93 Cup Series wins (third all-time), four championships, and iconic victories at the Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400. But what makes his role at Sunday’s race particularly fitting is his legacy on road courses. With nine career wins on winding tracks, Gordon still holds the title as NASCAR’s most successful road course racer.
This weekend, all eyes will be on the 2.42-mile, 15-turn road course that has long hosted Formula 1 and other international racing events. But on Sunday, the sound of stock cars rumbling through the Mexican capital will bring a fresh energy to the storied venue. Hendrick Motorsports, where Gordon now serves as vice chairman, enters the race in strong form, hunting for its fifth win of the season and a record-extending 32nd road course victory.
The Viva Mexico 250 goes green at 3 p.m. ET and will be broadcast live on Prime Video, MRN Radio, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. But for many fans—especially those witnessing NASCAR in Mexico for the first time—the true headline may be seeing a legend like Jeff Gordon launch the action in a place where the sport has never gone before.
