Scary Start for NASCAR Drivers on Mexico Trip as Blown Engine Forces Aborted Takeoff originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Mexico City race weekend was a date many fans and industry members circled when NASCAR announced last year that the Cup Series would be racing internationally in a points-paying event for the first time since 1958.

Hendrick Motorsports has confirmed that Anthony Alfredo will be the backup driver at Mexico just in case Alex Bowman is unable to race.

Ellis shared photos of firetrucks greeting the plane as they returned to the gate, and firemen standing by as passengers deboarded. Longtime NASCAR reporter Matt Weaver says that the pilot reported blowing an engine, possibly due to a bird strike, during takeoff:

As NASCAR's only Mexican driver in the Cup Series, all eyes will be on Suarez this weekend at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez