© Lon Horwedel/Imagn
For the first time in over half a century, the NASCAR Cup Series will hold a points race outside of the United States this weekend in Mexico City. However, the series has already run into problems before the event could even begin after a blown engine on a chartered plane left 200+ drivers and crew members stranded.
NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Ryan Ellis first highlight the saga with a post on X. “Cancel that, plane attempted takeoff, plane made a small boom, we are headed back,” he said after previously posting a picture of himself on the plane with the caption “Mexico-bound.”
Cancel that, plane attempted takeoff, plane made a small boom, we are headed back
— Ryan Ellis (@ryanellisracing) June 12, 2025
Plane Engine Failure Leaves NASCAR Teams Stranded En Route To Mexico City
Ellis then posted a picture of a fire truck pulling up to the plane as it circled back off the runway. According to motorsports writer Matt Weaver, “The captain of a grounded plane carrying NASCAR industry people to Mexico as it aborted a takeoff said ‘I dont know if we took a bird but engine 2 blew.‘
Thankfully, the incident occurred before the plane took off and before it reached max speed on the runway. Ultimately, several of the drivers and crew were diverted to a commercial flight out of Atlanta. But that flight was delayed due to weather. Others got a flight out of Atlanta to Austin, where they are currently in a layover. Ellis eventually flew to Miami before boarding a flight to Mexico City.
The whole incident caused NASCAR to change its weekend schedule. Rather than practicing on Friday, the Xfinity Series will now hold practice, qualifying and its race all on Saturday.
While the changes and delays are less than ideal, especially given all the criticism already surrounding the race, it seems like NASCAR has a good handle on things and everyone should get to Mexico City in plenty of time.