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.
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"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)
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"I have very fond memories watching the people come, watching the trailers come in, going, 'Hey there's my favorite driver!'" Reggie Johnson said.
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There has never been a one-race weekend in Richmond since 1959. NASCAR announced that the lost race would be moved from Richmond to Mexico City.
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The race announced Tuesday at the storied Mexico City permanent road course is a multi-year deal and will replace the spring race on the short track at Richmond International Raceway.
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Richmond loses NASCAR race weekend; community loses millions in revenue
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.
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