Mexican Track to Be Adjusted for NASCAR

MEXICO CITY December 14, 2004; The AP reported that the track for NASCAR's first race in Mexico next year will be shortened to allow the Busch series cars to manage the tough braking on the road course.

A new curve on the main straightaway and a new curve on the second straightaway will cut the track length from 2.786 miles to 2.518 miles for the March 6 race.

The Hermanos Rodriguez course has been used by Formula One, Champ, Trans Am and prototype cars, and requires sharp braking after long, fast straightaways. The stock cars used by NASCAR "are not prepared for such hard braking," said Ramon Osorio, spokesman for the promoters.

The work is to be finished before NASCAR tire testing starts Jan. 15 and would not affect the layout used for the other series, Osorio said.