Report: Busch Race in Mexico

CHARLOTTE, N.C. —  NASCAR will stage its first points-paying event outside the United States in a half-century when the Busch series races next year in Mexico City.

A NASCAR official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Associated Press Wednesday that the race was scheduled for next spring at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, a 2.786-mile road course.

NASCAR officials visited the Mexico City track several times this year, furthering speculation they were close to a deal.

With 36 points races, the Nextel Cup schedule is considered full, so the junior-level Busch series was the logical choice to test a foreign market.

The series also will return after a three-year absence to the road course in Watkins Glen, N.Y. The entire schedule for the series is expected to be released today.