Autódromo Monterrey
Autódromo Monterrey at a glance
- Location
- Apodaca, Nuevo León
- Type
- road course & oval
- Length
- 3.2 km (1.988 mi)
- Turns
- 19
- Direction
- clockwise
- Banking
- El Frijol oval combines one flat corner with one banked corner
- Surface
- asphalt
- Opened
- 1970
- Owner
- DIPSA
- Address
- Carretera a Laredo, Apodaca
Track map and layout
Autódromo Monterrey, long known locally as Autódromo Apodaca, packs two distinct racing surfaces onto one site north-east of Monterrey. The main road course is a 3.2 km, 19-turn layout dating from a 1986 reconfiguration of the original 1970 circuit, mixing tight infield sections with a couple of longer straights, and is the layout most commonly used for NASCAR Mexico Series and national single-seater racing. Alongside it sits El Frijol, a short 1.6 km, five-turn dogleg oval with one flat corner and one banked corner, used for shorter stock-car and support races. The facility also hosts drag racing and karting on separate strips within the same grounds.
Configurations
| Layout | Length | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Full road course | 3.20 km | 3.2 km, 19 turns, current configuration dates from 1986 |
| El Frijol oval | 1.60 km | 1.6 km, 5-turn dogleg oval with one banked and one flat corner |
| Original circuit (1970-1985) | 3.09 km | 3.09 km, 12 turns, superseded by the current road course |
Events and race weekends
The NASCAR Mexico Series has raced at Autódromo Monterrey on and off since 2004, most often on the Regia 200 date, making it one of the series' longest-standing venues; national categories including Mexican Formula 3-style championships, Súper Copa Telmex and karting also use the facility through the year. The circuit does not currently appear on any international world-championship calendar, and its programme is built around domestic Mexican racing plus drag-racing and grassroots events.
| Event | Series | When | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| NASCAR Mexico Series (Regia 200 and related rounds) | NASCAR Mexico | Varies | one of the series' regular Monterrey-area dates |
| Súper Copa Telmex rounds | Súper Copa | Varies | Mexican domestic touring/GT series |
Getting there and parking
The circuit sits in Apodaca, part of the Monterrey metropolitan area, close to both Monterrey International Airport and the smaller General Escobedo/Del Norte airfield. Most visitors drive or take a taxi/rideshare from Monterrey or nearby San Nicolás de los Garza, since there is no direct metro line to the venue; the Carretera a Laredo highway provides the main road access.
- Monterrey International Airport (Gen. Mariano Escobedo) (MTY) · about 15 min drive
Book a rental car or rideshare in advance for race weekends, as public transport does not run all the way to the circuit gates.
Hotels and camping near Autódromo Monterrey
Visitors typically stay in central Monterrey or in San Pedro Garza García, both roughly 20-30 minutes' drive from the circuit, or closer to the airport in Apodaca itself for a shorter commute on race day. There is no camping or trackside accommodation associated with the venue, so a hotel in the metropolitan area is the standard choice.
Where to look
Central Monterrey and San Pedro Garza García for dining and nightlife, or hotels near Monterrey International Airport in Apodaca for the shortest drive to the circuit.
Track days, driving experiences and lap records
Autódromo Monterrey is used mainly for organised racing, drag-racing and karting events rather than commercial HPDE-style track days; there is no widely advertised public track-day provider offering car or motorcycle lapping sessions on the road course or oval. Anyone wanting circuit time should contact the venue or a local karting/drag-racing operator directly, as public access to the full road course outside race weekends is limited.
Lap records
| Category | Time | Driver | Car | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Road course (Indy Lights) | 1:05.161 | Waldemar Coronas | Lola T96/20 | 2000 |
| El Frijol oval (stock car) | 0:35.431 | Abraham Calderón | Ford Fusion NASCAR | 2022 |
Spectator guide
Spectator facilities are modest by international standards, geared toward domestic NASCAR Mexico and national-series crowds rather than large international events; grandstands overlook the front straight and several of the road course's infield corners. Admission and grandstand details are typically announced closer to each event rather than published year-round.
Seating
Grandstands along the main straight and at selected infield corners of the road course.
Best places to watch
The main straight grandstands for start/finish action, or infield vantage points for a view of several corners at once.
Weather
- Nov-Mar: mild and dry, highs around 20-25°C (68-77°F)
- Jun-Aug: hot, highs frequently above 35°C (95°F)
History of Autódromo Monterrey
From Apodaca circuit to dual-surface venue
Autódromo Monterrey opened in 1970 in Apodaca, Nuevo León, on the northern edge of the Monterrey metropolitan area, and was known for years simply as Autódromo Apodaca. Its original road course ran 3.09 km over 12 turns, and the site also carried a short oval, El Frijol, used for stock-car and sprint racing from the same period.
Reconfiguration and NASCAR Mexico era
The road course was substantially reworked in 1986 into the 3.2 km, 19-turn layout still used today, adding technical infield sections to the existing straights. From the mid-2000s the venue became a regular stop for the NASCAR Mexico Series, hosting the Regia 200 and related events across multiple seasons since 2004, alongside national single-seater categories, Súper Copa Telmex and grassroots drag racing and karting.
Present day
Operated by DIPSA, Autódromo Monterrey today functions primarily as a domestic Mexican racing venue rather than an international one, with NASCAR Mexico remaining its highest-profile tenant. The dual road-course-and-oval layout, unusual for a Mexican circuit of its size, lets the venue run both longer national-series races and shorter stock-car sprints on the same weekend, and it continues to serve Monterrey's motorsport community for club racing, drag events and karting.
Frequently asked questions
How long is Autódromo Monterrey?+
The main road course is 3.2 km (1.988 miles) with 19 turns; the venue also has a separate 1.6 km (0.994-mile) oval called El Frijol.
What series races at Autódromo Monterrey?+
The NASCAR Mexico Series is the highest-profile regular tenant, alongside Súper Copa Telmex, national single-seater categories, drag racing and karting.
When did Autódromo Monterrey open?+
The circuit opened in 1970 as Autódromo Apodaca; its road course was reconfigured to the current 19-turn layout in 1986.
Where is Autódromo Monterrey located?+
In Apodaca, Nuevo León, in the Monterrey metropolitan area, close to Monterrey International Airport (MTY).
Can the public drive the circuit on a track day?+
There is no widely advertised commercial track-day programme at Autódromo Monterrey; access outside race weekends is limited, so visitors should contact the venue directly.
Other tracks nearby
- Fundidora Park Circuit (Parque Fundidora, Monterrey) · 21 km · historic circuit (defunct)
- Super Óvalo Potosino (Autódromo Potosino) · 422 km · oval
- Circuit of The Americas · 538 km · road course
- Autódromo Guadalajara · 672 km · road course
- Trióvalo Internacional de Cajititlán · 681 km · oval
- Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez · 727 km · road course
Facts checked against 3 sources including the official circuit website. Last reviewed 2026-09-11.