Scary Start for NASCAR Drivers on Mexico Trip as Blown Engine Forces Aborted Takeoff originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Mexico City race weekend was a date many fans and industry members circled when NASCAR announced last year that the Cup Series would be racing internationally in a points-paying event for the first time since 1958.

Ellis shared photos of firetrucks greeting the plane as they returned to the gate, and firemen standing by as passengers deboarded. Longtime NASCAR reporter Matt Weaver says that the pilot reported blowing an engine, possibly due to a bird strike, during takeoff:

Ryan Truex, JGR’s reserve driver, will step in to drive No. 11 car as Hamlin will miss his first race since 2014.

Jose Blasco-Figueroa grew up in Mexico City and his mother's home is 25 kilometers from Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez

NASCAR arrived to Mexico City for the first-ever points-paying race at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. Both the Cup Series and Xfinity Series will

The NASCAR Cup Series heads to Mexico for the first time. Find out which driver opened as the clear favorite for this historic race.