- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Monterrey Native Pato O'Ward Says Mexico Might Not Be Ready for IndyCar Yet
Plus: Roger Penske and Jerry Jones relationship talk, IndyCar drivers' Texas connections
Mar. 14, 2026 at 8:25pm
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
Pato O'Ward, the Arrow McLaren driver from Monterrey, Mexico, said that his home country might not be ready to host an IndyCar race yet. O'Ward cited a lack of commitment and enthusiasm from the parties involved in Mexico as a reason why IndyCar has not added another event there. Meanwhile, IndyCar owner Roger Penske and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones discussed their long-standing relationship and trust that has helped bring the Java House Grand Prix of Arlington to life. The race features several IndyCar drivers with strong Texas connections.
Why it matters
O'Ward's comments raise questions about the viability of expanding the IndyCar Series into Mexico, a market the series has targeted for growth. The relationship between Penske and Jones, two of the most influential figures in motorsports and professional sports, provides insight into how major events like this one come together through personal connections and shared visions.
The details
O'Ward said that while there is interest in Mexico to host an IndyCar race, the level of commitment and enthusiasm from all the involved parties is not yet where it needs to be for the series to add an event there. He said everyone involved has to be "all in" for it to work, not just "half-way." Penske and Jones discussed how their long-standing relationship, built on trust and a shared passion for motorsports, was key to making the Java House Grand Prix of Arlington a reality without the need for a formal written contract. Several IndyCar drivers, including O'Ward, have strong Texas ties, adding to the local interest and flavor of the new street race.
- The Java House Grand Prix of Arlington will be the first NTT IndyCar Series event on the streets of the Metroplex city's Entertainment District.
- Arlington Downs Racetrack, a one-mile dirt oval less than a half-mile from the current racetrack, hosted three points-paying races and two non-championship sweepstakes races from 1947 to 1950.
The players
Pato O'Ward
A driver from Monterrey, Mexico, who races for the Arrow McLaren team in the IndyCar Series. O'Ward spent much of his adolescence in San Antonio, Texas.
Roger Penske
The owner of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the IndyCar Series, and a successful racing team. Penske has known Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones for two decades and they have built a strong relationship based on trust and a shared passion for motorsports.
Jerry Jones
The owner of the Dallas Cowboys NFL team. Jones has partnered with Roger Penske to bring the Java House Grand Prix of Arlington to life, with the two building their relationship on trust and a mutual love of racing.
Santino Ferrucci
An IndyCar driver who lives in Dallas and drives for Houston-based racing legend A.J. Foyt.
Mick Schumacher
An IndyCar rookie who has settled in the Dallas area.
What they’re saying
“We need to see [in Mexico] what we see here. Everyone involved has done a phenomenal job with track layout and how everything looks. They really went above and beyond. Everyone doing this this weekend wants it to be a success. Everyone doing this this weekend wants it to look good. Everyone involved wants it to be what it deserves to be.”
— Pato O'Ward
“It's built perfectly here to have the Rangers partner with us along with Jerry's team and to have the real estate, to have a race like this. It's just unbelievable. I think this was a partnership [that] was built on trust between the two organizations.”
— Roger Penske, IndyCar/Indianapolis Motor Speedway/team owner
“I'm not even for sure we have anything written down. It is built on trust—and actually built on a passion, because it's great to be saddling up with this guy.”
— Jerry Jones, Dallas Cowboys owner
What’s next
The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.
The takeaway
This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.
