NASCAR is headed south of the border, and for the very first time in a Cup Series points-paying race, NASCAR will honor all top three finishers — not just the winner with an actual podium celebration.
We’re talking about a full-blown podium celebration, like the ones we see in Formula One or IndyCar. And it’s all happening at one of NASCAR’s biggest international moments yet — the Cup Series race in Mexico City, this month.
A New Finish Line Moment in the Making for NASCAR
For the first time ever in a points-paying Cup Series race, the top three drivers will be honored, not just the winner. Gold, silver, and bronze medals, a podium stage, and probably a whole lot of smiles and maybe even some champagne.
This is a bold move for a sport that usually celebrates just the victor. But next weekend, second and third place drivers will finally get their moment in the spotlight, standing tall alongside the winner.
#NASCAR to have podium celebrations after Cup and Xfinity races next weekend in Mexico …https://t.co/lF2smAeIKf
— Dustin Long (@dustinlong) June 4, 2025
The Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City is already known for its fast and lethal F1-level drama. Now the sport’s jumping into that energy with a race that’s shaping up to be more than just another day at the track. On June 15, the Cup Series will roll into Mexico for its first international points race since 1958, and NASCAR’s pulling out the red carpet.
Why the podium now? Well, the people at NASCAR say this race is a “historic weekend” and deserves something special. And honestly, if they’re going to break tradition, doing it on foreign soil in front of a global crowd sounds pretty epic.
NASACAR told NBC Sports, “For this historic weekend, it felt appropriate to recognize the heritage of Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez and give a nod to the traditional international motorsports celebrations. There are currently no plans for podium-style celebrations following the Mexico City event.”
This isn’t NASCAR’s first-ever podium celebration though — they did it before at the L.A. Coliseum exhibition events from 2022 to 2024. But that was more of a nod to the Olympics. This time, it’s the real deal, and it might just be the start of something new for the sport.
Which Driver Could Be Standing on That Podium in Mexico City?
With just 14 races done in the Cup Series season so far, Christopher Bell and Kyle Larson are already leading the way in top-three finishes — six each. Both Bell and Larson have won three races this season.
Also, the Xfinity Series and NASCAR Mexico Series races will feature podium finishes that weekend too, making it a full festival of motorsports at the track. NASCAR is even letting two extra drivers race in the Xfinity Series event with a special international exemption rule.
As for whether this whole podium thing will stick around after Mexico. NASCAR says there are “no current plans,” but as we all know — if fans love it, it could become a new favorite and soon a regular thing in the sport.