Shane van Gisbergen praises NASCAR Mexico track limits enforcement after earning pole position at the debut of the NASCAR Cup Series at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City this weekend. Nascar officials introduced new barriers and track monitoring to manage driver behavior on the 2.417‑mile road course, aiming for an optimal mix of freedom and restrictions for the grid.
Officials Introduce Tire Barriers and Cameras for Track Limits
Following Friday’s practice session on July 13, NASCAR officials took an assertive approach to prevent excessive corner-cutting at the Mexico City venue. They installed tire barriers at multiple critical points and placed surveillance cameras in areas where physical barriers were impractical. An extra set of tires was added to Turn 6, providing a clear physical warning for anyone tempted to shortcut the course beyond the racing line.
Shane van Gisbergen, also known as “the Kiwi,” secured the top starting spot after a rapid qualifying lap clocked at 93.904 mph. Responding to questions from Fox Sports’ Bob Pockrass, van Gisbergen confirmed his support for the new measures, stating that they offer an effective equilibrium between allowing drivers to push limits without encouraging excessive abuse.
“They give us enough leeway to cut the track, but not abuse it. I think if you go four wheels over it’s kind of slower anyway, you bounce over the kerbs. So I think they’ve done a really good job with kerb or tire bundle placement here to allow you some wiggle room for mistakes, but also not to take the piss either,” Shane van Gisbergen said.
Van Gisbergen’s Racing Background and Recent Success
Shane van Gisbergen, a three-time Supercars champion from New Zealand, joined the NASCAR Cup Series this season after a notable stint in the Xfinity Series. In the previous year, he scored three victories and clinched 12th place overall in the Xfinity points standings. Now driving the No. 88 Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing, van Gisbergen collected his first Cup Series win during his 2023 debut on the Chicago road course. As anticipation builds, the Viva Mexico 250 is set to get underway on Sunday, June 15, at 3 pm ET.
AJ Allmendinger and Fellow Drivers Applaud Physical Deterrents
Kaulig Racing’s A.J. Allmendinger echoed van Gisbergen’s appreciation for NASCAR’s practical solutions at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. After qualifying eighth, Allmendinger reflected on the tire barrier’s role in removing ambiguity from race control decisions.
Honestly, I wanted it there before we started more than anything, just to get away from NASCAR having to make a judgment call,” Allmendinger explained after Friday’s practice.
“They’ve left it far enough off it that it still gives you a big racing line and all that, so yeah, I thought it was good that they did that,” he added.
Other drivers, including Bubba Wallace and Chase Elliott, also approved of the tire barriers, noting a preference for clear, physical deterrents over painted lines, which can lead to post-race penalties and contention. These sentiments reflect a broader satisfaction among competitors with NASCAR’s careful balance between allowing maneuvering room and imposing fair control, ensuring drivers do not overstep the intended racing boundaries.
Lessons Learned from COTA and Looking Forward
The strategy in Mexico draws from issues earlier in the season, particularly the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) event. There, massive concrete blocks in the esses were initially used to contain track excursions, but pushback from drivers led to their removal. This experience influenced the approach adopted at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, where tire packs and thoughtful placement are now the preferred track limits enforcement tools.
With the enforcement of clearly marked and physically equipped track limits at Mexico City, NASCAR aims to foster competitive and fair racing. As the Cup Series continues to adapt its approach, the reactions from drivers and officials at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez are likely to influence future decisions at road courses across the schedule.
