IndyCar driver Pato O’Ward has indicated that he is unlikely to participate in the NASCAR Xfinity Series race in Mexico City this year, citing a scheduling conflict with the NTT IndyCar Series race at World Wide Technology Raceway (WWTR) in Madison, Illinois.
The WWTR event, known as the Bommarito Automotive Group 500, is scheduled for June 14-15, coinciding with the Xfinity Series race in Mexico City.
Previously, McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown had expressed openness to O’Ward competing in the Xfinity race, stating that if O’Ward could secure a ride in Mexico City, he would allow him to miss Saturday’s activities at Gateway. However, O’Ward has now clarified that such a logistical arrangement is not feasible for this year.
O’Ward, a native of Monterrey, Mexico, has been a vocal advocate for IndyCar expanding into the Mexican market. He has previously expressed enthusiasm about the prospect of an IndyCar race in Mexico, suggesting it could become one of the premier events on the calendar.
While the opportunity to race in front of a home crowd in Mexico City is appealing, O’Ward’s commitment to his IndyCar schedule takes precedence. Fans will have to wait for a future occasion to see O’Ward compete in a NASCAR event on Mexican soil.
