When NASCAR announced this week that it would race in Mexico City next year, IndyCar drivers were stunned that another American series had beaten them into a fertile market that is starving to see their most popular driver. Pato O'Ward is from Monterrey, Mexico, and has steadily built his fan base since his breakthrough 2021 season.
FILE - Pato O’Ward, of Mexico , talks with staff members before the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Sunday, May 26, 2024, in Indianapolis. WEST ALLIS, Wis. — The line for Pato O’Ward at every IndyCar autograph session snakes around corners, blocks the entrances for other drivers and pretty much shames his rivals.
O’Ward is the reserve F1 driver for McLaren and needs security to navigate track property. It’s not that he’s in danger; it’s just that his 2022 trip into the stadium bowl grandstands with a GoPro camera showed how quickly the petite driver can be mobbed by adoring fans.Kimi Antonelli named as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement at Formula 1’s MercedesBut he wants to race in front of them and given NASCAR’s new multiyear deal in Mexico City, O’Ward isn’t sure it ever will happen.
“It’s like, everybody is overtaking us, like left, right, left, right,” Palou said. “One-hundred percent, we should have been . It doesn’t make much sense for me. But for Pato, he’s been growing, so I think we’re like five years too late, and now NASCAR overtakes us.” “Pato is a natural star, and his popularity is tremendous and growing,” Miles continued. “He is a marquee personality for our series and a terrific partner in our marketing and promotional efforts. We continue to invest in our drivers, and Pato absolutely continues to be a primary individual we direct resources and support to.”
Miles said O’Ward isn’t involved, and probably not even aware, of conversations that have occurred regarding racing in Mexico. O’Ward very much wants to be in the discussions and said he’d fund a race in Mexico himself if he had the cash.
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