Shane van Gisbergen Wins First Ever Cup Series Race in Mexico City

Shane van Gisbergen made a statement in Mexico City by earning his second career NASCAR Cup Series win at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez on Sunday. As the first Cup Series event held outside the United States in the modern era, the race attracted attention around the world.

Van Gisbergen, hailing from Auckland, New Zealand, showed his skill by leading a commanding 60 out of the 100 laps. He captured the pole position in qualifying and overcame not only tough competition but also illness during the event.

Throughout the race, unpredictable weather played a key role. Rain early in the event made conditions slippery, but van Gisbergen’s background in wet-weather racing helped him keep control while other drivers found it challenging.

Ty Gibbs led 27 laps and looked like a threat, but van Gisbergen took the lead for good with 31 laps to go and never looked back. Christopher Bell crossed the finish line 16.567 seconds behind in second place.

Chase Elliott, Alex Bowman, and Michael McDowell rounded out the top five. Chevrolets claimed five of the top ten positions.

Daniel Suarez, who grew up in Monterrey, Mexico, was in the spotlight at his home race. Hopes were high for a win, especially during his contract year, but he finished 19th after not being able to break into the lead group.

The event was also marked by an early incident when Kyle Busch crashed out on Lap 6, citing the slippery surface as the cause. Busch finished 37th, while three-time season winner Kyle Larson ended up 36th due to his involvement in the same wreck.

Among other notable finishers, John Hunter Nemechek, Chase Briscoe, Cole Custer, William Byron, and Chris Buescher filled out spots six through ten. Ty Gibbs, despite his strong run and leading the second-most laps, finished in 11th.

Ross Chastain, van Gisbergen’s teammate, also earned a playoff berth with earlier success this season.

Beyond the racing, the event included a special moment before the start, as NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon gave the command to start engines in both English and Spanish, celebrating the local culture and the sport’s international reach. This cultural celebration echoed moments from other international sports events, emphasizing the sport’s growing global appeal.

The race was part of a busy weekend that included support events like the Chilango 150 and the Viva Mexico 250.

With this win, van Gisbergen secures a spot in the playoffs and builds on his memorable NASCAR debut in Chicago in 2023. NASCAR’s next race moves back to the United States at Pocono Raceway, where Ryan Blaney won the prior year. Fans and teams are already preparing for what comes next in a season full of new milestones and fierce competition. For insights on recent racing incidents and driver performances, see this detailed analysis of Verstappen and Russell’s clash.

John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.