NASCAR adds provisionals to Xfinity Series race in Mexico City

NASCAR will add two starting spots to the grid for the Xfinity Series race in Mexico City.

The two provisionals will allow the field to be expanded by two entries, but only if needed. It would push the starting grid from 38 to a maximum of 40 teams. NASCAR expects more than 38 teams to make the trip to attempt the race.

NASCAR is calling it the International Provisional. But in a move similar to the creation of the Open Exemption Provisional in the Cup Series, the teams that use the International Provisional will not:

• Be eligible for prize money
• Receive driver or owner points (including in the stages)
• Receive credit for the win or playoff benefits (the second-place finisher will receive first-place points but not receive benefits for the win, such as earning a spot in the playoffs
• Receive playoff points that come with the race win or stage win (the second-place driver in the stage or race will receive the playoff points)

NASCAR visits Mexico City with its Xfinity Series and Cup Series teams June 13-15. It is a return for the Xfinity Series to the country, which last competed in the country in 2008.

As for the Cup Series, which will make its inaugural trip to Mexico City, an Open Exemption Provisional was not requested for the event. A team looking to use the provisional must submit its request 90 days in advance of the event.