RICHMOND, Va. -- NASCAR confirmed Tuesday that Richmond Raceway is losing one of its two NASCAR races in the 2025 season.
It would be the first time since 1959, outside the COVID-impacted seasons, that the eastern Henrico track has not hosted two races in a season.
Jordan Bianchi, a reporter for The Athletic, wrote Monday that NASCAR planned to take a June race away from Richmond Raceway and move it to Mexico City.
NASCAR announced on Tuesday that the June 15, 2025 race would take place in Mexico. Richmond Raceway's lone race will take place Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025.
WATCH: 'It doesn't draw the same crowd'
"This is a historic moment for our sport, and specifically for the NASCAR Cup Series, in being able to expand our footprint to Mexico,” NASCAR’s Executive Vice President & Chief Venue & Racing Innovation Officer Ben Kennedy said. “We’ve been bold about our intentions to grow on a global scale, and there isn’t a better place to take the next step in that journey than at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez road course in Mexico City.”
With that announcement, Kennedy confirmed Richmond would only appear one time on the 2025 schedule.
"This has certainly been a journey for us on the scheduling front," Kennedy said. “Our next opportunity was to expand internationally and we said we’ve wanted to do this for a long time but also needed to make sure it was the right time, the right partners and the right location and Mexico City checked every box."
WATCH: Richmond International Raceway changes ahead of 1996 NASCAR race
The Henrico Citizen reported 2009 studies that found race weekend generates nearly $169 million in economic impact for the region and about $42 million in tax revenue.
Richmond Raceway has not yet commented on this development
This is a developing story. Tell the CBS 6 Newsroom what you think about NASCAR taking a race away from Richmond. We may use your comments on TV.
WATCH: How NASCAR impacts Henrico County (Sept. 1992)
-
-
Missing Virginia woman's remains identified in Florida
While it is unknown when and with whom Patricia Ann Ritchie traveled to Florida before her death, she was last spotted getting into a truck with an unknown person.
Pentagon-FAA dispute over lasers to thwart cartel drones led to airspace closure
The Federal Aviation Administration is closing the airspace around El Paso International Airport in Texas for 10 days, grounding all flights to and from the airport.
Man detained in Guthrie disappearance released, says he ‘didn’t do anything’
A man who was detained in connection with the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie has been released. Read what he said about being detained.
Saks Fifth Avenue to exit Stony Point Fashion Park in Richmond
Saks said in bankruptcy filings this week that it planned to start store closing sales at the affected locations on or about Feb. 20.
Mostly sunny and cooler Thursday
Mostly sunny and cooler Thursday with highs in the mid and upper 40s. Cold again tonight, with lows in the lower 20s.
Richmond police: boy hospitalized after shooting
Officers said they found a "juvenile male" with an apparent gunshot wound to his chest. An ambulance took the victim to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries, according to police.
-
Every day CBS 6 is giving a voice to the stories happening in your community. If you have a story idea, email our team at NewsTips@wtvr.com or click here to submit a tip.
