O’Ward tells AR1.com that Mexico race would be huge for IndyCar

O'Ward said an IndyCar race in Mexico would be huge

During the press conference announcing the Harding Steinbrenner Racing team Wednesday, AR1.com's Mark C. asked Pato O'Ward whether an IndyCar race might be possible given his early success and expected continued IndyCar success in 2019.

There has not been a really popular Mexican driver in IndyCar since Adrian Fernandez.

“They received news of me moving up to IndyCar very well."

“People were very happy. A lot of people that I know followed the race and they were following the progress throughout the weekend.

“I think it’s huge for the series. It was such an important race in the calendar. There’s a lot of fanatics in Mexico. I think it’s important to engage them again because IndyCar is growing, the series is definitely going to get bigger. I think it’s the most competitive series in the world. I think it’s one of the hardest championships to win by a team or a driver.

“I think having their support, having their following could lead to a very strong and good event in Mexico. Hopefully the people are happy. It would be great to give them some of the emotions that I gave them this year in Indy Lights."

“I feel like a race in Mexico would be one of the best events on the calendar. I think next year is going to be very critical to that. I think it’s going to play a lot if it becomes true or not. I think a strong year next year with a lot of following, especially from Mexican media and people joining the following of the IndyCar Series from Latin America, would really help the series go back. I really hope it does because, like I said, I think it would be one of the best events. It would be a great addition to the IndyCar schedule."