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What you need to know about Sunday's first NASCAR Busch Series race in Mexico:

* No regulars have turned a lap in a stock car at the Mexico City track Jeff Burton, who drives the No. 31 in Nextel Cup for Richard Childress Racing, was the only driver to test at the track--and he's not competing. Busch driver David Green visited Mexico City to meet with reporters, but he didn't drive on the track.

If the 2.518-mile Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez resembled an oval, the drivers' lack of experience on it wouldn't be a big deal. But it's a road course with more turns than a Ridley Pearson novel, and most Busch drivers have little experience on that type of track. NASCAR has taken an innovative approach to teach drivers about the course: It created a DVD that offers a driver's view of the track.

* A record $2 million purse helped attract Nextel Cup regulars Rusty Wallace, Elliott Sadler, Jamie McMurray, Michael Waltrip and Kevin Harvick. (Them's no Cup race this weekend.) Wallace is favored.

* Michel Jourdain and Adrian Fernandez, who are from Mexico City, will compete in the race. Both are popular in Mexico. Fernandez, who became known for his open-wheel racing, has achieved first-name-only status. Jourdain is running a full Busch season for ppc Racing, and Fernandez has a one-race deal with Hendrick Motorsports.

* NASCAR planned the weekend to make the trip as easy as possible for drivers, team members and reporters. A centrally located hotel was chosen for NASCAR's guests, and shuttles to the airport and track will be provided. Also, NASCAR provided a list of useful words and phrases in Spanish. Remember: Don't drink the agua.

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