The NASCAR Cup Series heads south of the border this weekend for the inaugural Viva Mexico 250 at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. But while fans expected drama on Sunday, the intrigue started early—during Saturday’s rain-shortened qualifying session. Shane van Gisbergen, the New Zealander with a knack for mastering wet road courses, claimed the pole in style. With uncertain weather on the horizon and 37 drivers lined up in one of the most unique venues on the schedule, Sunday’s race could be one of the wildest of the season.
Shane van Gisbergen on Pole: Wet Weather and Road Course History in Play
Shane van Gisbergen earned his second career NASCAR Cup Series pole and his first of the 2025 season with a blistering lap of 92.776 seconds (93.904 mph) before the skies cut the session short. Driving the No. 88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet, Van Gisbergen used his experience on slick circuits to take advantage of the limited dry laps early in the session.
This is far from unfamiliar territory for the three-time Supercars champion. Van Gisbergen famously won in his NASCAR debut on the rain-soaked streets of Chicago in 2023, a performance that helped launch his full-time Cup Series career. That win instantly made him a name to watch on road courses, and he hasn’t let up since.
Despite being listed as the betting favorite for Sunday’s race, SVG played it cool post-qualifying.
“These are the types of tracks I’m good at. But I don’t enjoy racing in the rain. You’re always sliding around. It’s fun to watch, but not to drive.” – Shane van Gisbergen
Regardless of his preferences, his track record in these conditions speaks for itself—and if the forecast delivers more precipitation on race day, it could be déjà vu for the rest of the field.
Strong Showings for Preece, Chastain, Gibbs, and McDowell
Lining up beside Van Gisbergen on the front row is Ryan Preece, who delivered an impressive lap in the No. 60 RFK Racing Ford. His qualifying speed of 93.839 mph was just 0.064 seconds off the pole—good enough for his best start of the 2025 season. With the team gaining ground on road courses in recent months, Preece may be in position to steal his first Cup win.
Ross Chastain, another Trackhouse Racing driver, qualified third and will start just behind his teammate. While his aggressive style has earned mixed reviews from competitors, Chastain is no stranger to road course success and could make Sunday’s 100-lap event very interesting.
Ty Gibbs clocked in fourth and will be the highest-starting Toyota driver in the field. The young Joe Gibbs Racing star continues to show growth, especially on technical circuits where patience and car control come into play. Michael McDowell, long known for his road course talent, rounded out the top five in the No. 71 Ford for Front Row Motorsports.
Kyle Larson, Todd Gilliland, A.J. Allmendinger, Joey Logano, and Daniel Suárez filled out the rest of the top 10. For Suárez, Sunday offers a homecoming of sorts—racing in front of a Mexican crowd in a country where he remains a national sporting figure.
Mid-Pack Talent and Notable Surprises in the Starting Grid
The rest of the lineup reads like a wildcard waiting to happen. Veterans like Kyle Busch (11th), Chase Elliott (12th), and Ryan Blaney (18th) are all starting outside the top 10 but bring plenty of experience to work their way through the field.
Further back, some big names struggled in qualifying. William Byron, who has already scored three wins in 2025, will start 27th. Brad Keselowski (30th), Christopher Bell (31st), and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (33rd) are all deeper in the pack than expected.
Rounding out the field is Katherine Legge in the No. 78, who starts 37th after battling treacherous track conditions. Making her Cup Series return, Legge will have a tough climb, especially if the rain continues.
The altitude of Mexico City—sitting over 7,300 feet above sea level—adds yet another layer of unpredictability. Teams have had to adjust setups to compensate for lower oxygen levels, affecting both engine performance and driver stamina.
News In Brief: NASCAR Mexico Cup Starting Lineup
With Shane van Gisbergen on pole, unpredictable weather on the way, and 37 hungry drivers ready to take on a technical road course at high altitude, the Viva Mexico 250 promises to deliver drama from flag to flag. The starting grid is packed with international flavor, road course experts, and aggressive racers all with something to prove. If the rain holds, tire strategy and finesse will be key. If it pours, expect chaos—and maybe even history. Whatever unfolds in Mexico City, it’s sure to leave a mark on the 2025 NASCAR season.
