Shane van Gisbergen is taking NASCAR Mexico City race challenges in stride, despite disruption and uncertainty in the lead-up to the series’ first international points event, scheduled at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. With travel chaos and a skeleton crew complicating preparations, the New Zealander stays focused and positive as he eyes a crucial result that could revive his difficult 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season.
Chicago triumph marked a turning point for SVG
In July 2023, Shane van Gisbergen, hailing from New Zealand and already a three-time Supercars champion, became the talk of NASCAR after a historic performance on the rain-soaked Chicago Street Course. In his debut Cup Series drive, piloting the No. 91 Project91 Chevrolet with Trackhouse Racing, van Gisbergen charged from 18th on the grid, seizing victory at NASCAR’s inaugural street race—an achievement not seen for over six decades. The win underscored his prowess as a road course maestro and signaled his arrival on the U.S. racing scene.
Two years later, history is set to be made again as NASCAR hosts its first points-paying race outside the United States, this time in Mexico City. For van Gisbergen, the hope was for a fresh start at a venue that favored his expertise. Yet, that optimism was threatened by unforeseen trouble before wheels could hit the circuit.
Travel disruptions test NASCAR teams ahead of Mexico City debut
The build-up to NASCAR’s landmark weekend in Mexico City was marred by logistical turmoil. A major setback occurred when a chartered plane tasked with transporting essential team personnel from Trackhouse Racing, Sam Hunt Racing, Haas Factory Team, and DGM Racing suffered an engine failure in Charlotte, North Carolina. With a damaged fan blade grounding the plane, Charlotte Douglas International Airport was forced to close a runway for cleanup operations, causing broad delays.
Compounding these difficulties, a second charter flight endured related issues, stranding sizable contingents of crew members—nearly one hundred individuals—across multiple teams. Sam Mayer’s team reportedly diverted to Atlanta in an urgent bid to rejoin the event, while Ryan Ellis rerouted through Miami to reach their destination. For Shane van Gisbergen and his Trackhouse Racing crew, these troubles struck particularly hard, threatening to disrupt race preparation amid ticking clocks and mounting pressure.
Despite these setbacks, van Gisbergen’s calm approach stood out. When questioned about potential concerns arising from fielding a team with limited personnel, he responded,
“Not really. They’ve got it pretty under control. Obviously, it’s not ideal, but it’s fine. Thankfully, the practice delay gave us more than enough time to get everything sorted. Yeah, it’s fine.”
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
He commended NASCAR’s rapid and considered response to the travel disruptions, stating,
“Yeah, I’m fine with it. You can’t predict that kind of stuff happening. There are so many moving parts. I think everyone who’s needed is down here now. They’ve done a good job salvaging it.”
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
Bob Pockrass, reporting from on site, highlighted van Gisbergen’s situation:
“Shane van Gisbergen said he feels his car will be ready for practice with a handful of team members getting to Mexico City today (SVG flew in this morning) after the NASCAR chartered plane apparently blew an engine as it was about to take off.”
—Bob Pockrass, Reporter
Team keeps focus under pressure with NASCAR support
SVG’s team leader, Stephen Doran, echoed the Kiwi driver’s sangfroid as the crew pressed forward in the face of adversity.
“Skeleton crew, there’s only three or four of us on each of our cars. But yeah, we’ll be fine.”
—Stephen Doran, Crew Chief
With two planes grounded and many teams short-staffed, NASCAR officials responded by adjusting the on-track schedule.
“Due to two aircraft issues that grounded multiple race teams in Charlotte, N.C., on Thursday, NASCAR has adjusted the on-track schedule for this weekend’s activities at Mexico City’s Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.”
—NASCAR Statement
This rescheduling decision provided crucial breathing room for teams like Trackhouse Racing to organize, conduct technical checks, and prepare their equipment fairly for the event. Doran acknowledged that NASCAR’s intervention was timely:
“Them adjusting the schedule definitely helped us out a little bit. But we just got to get caught up now,”
—Stephen Doran, Crew Chief.
Mexico City offers SVG a much-needed shot at redemption
As teams acclimate and the uncertainty recedes, spotlight turns to Shane van Gisbergen’s prospects in Mexico City, where unique road course conditions could play to his rare strengths. Entering the race sitting 33rd in the points, van Gisbergen remains winless in 2025 and desperately seeks a breakthrough to vault back into playoff conversation. With three road courses featured in the next five races, a strong result could dramatically alter his season’s narrative.
Recognizing both the opportunity and challenge, van Gisbergen shared insights into his preparations:
“I’ve been doing a lot of simulation lately, and it’s pretty cool, a challenging and big track. There are lots of technical sections, and it’s going to be very difficult. Turn 1 is going to be carnage, I think, with how NASCAR restarts are,”
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver.
While his confidence in his road racing skills remains strong, he is keenly aware of the uncertainties:
“Everyone expects us to perform on road courses. Not that we have been hanging out for it, but the ovals have been a big learning process the last couple of months,”
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver.
Van Gisbergen refuses to claim outright advantage despite his background:
“I know I’ll be good at them, but having an advantage, no. Other people have been there before, and the unknowns, the air, and how different the cars will feel with no downforce and stuff, are big. I don’t think it’s an advantage, but I certainly know I’ll be okay there,”
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver.
Trackhouse Racing has reason to be optimistic based on SVG’s results at the Circuit of the Americas, where he finished sixth earlier in the season, and his precedent-setting victory at Chicago’s street circuit. For both van Gisbergen and his crew, these upcoming road course events represent make-or-break moments.
A pivotal weekend for van Gisbergen’s NASCAR season
With the chaos of travel now behind them, the focus sharpens on the action at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. The event marks a defining point for Shane van Gisbergen, who seeks not only to overcome the odds imposed by logistical disruption, but to capitalize on a format that aligns with his established road racing credentials.
A victory—or even a strong performance—in Mexico City could transform his 2025 campaign, injecting new life into Trackhouse Racing and changing the narrative for one of NASCAR’s most intriguing international stars. Ultimately, the ability of van Gisbergen, Stephen Doran, and their “skeleton crew” to adapt under pressure will determine whether this challenging weekend proves to be the overdue turning point they need.
With high stakes and even higher energy, all eyes remain fixed on Shane van Gisbergen as the Cup Series takes on Mexico City, where adversity may spark the comeback he’s been searching for.
