Shane van Gisbergen takes NASCAR Cup pole in Mexico City after delivering an early blistering lap in qualifying, seizing his second career pole and the first of his 2025 season for Trackhouse Racing. This pole position puts van Gisbergen in a key spot to secure the much-needed victory that could alter the current playoff landscape, given his current 33rd place in the standings.
Van Gisbergen Dominates Qualifying to Snag Top Position
The qualifying session saw Shane van Gisbergen in the No. 88 chevrolet/”>Chevrolet set a 1:32.776s time, becoming the benchmark for the day as fellow drivers tried—and failed—to surpass him. This marked a significant achievement for van Gisbergen as he continues his search for a pivotal race win to boost his playoff chances in what has otherwise been a challenging season.
RFK Racing’s Ryan Preece thwarted a Trackhouse Racing front-row lockout, grabbing the second spot by finishing just 0.064 seconds behind van Gisbergen. Preece, who is still searching for his first Cup Series victory, impressed with his speed but ultimately could not dethrone the Trackhouse driver.
Ross Chastain, van Gisbergen’s teammate at Trackhouse Racing, delivered his best qualifying performance this year, earning third place. Ty Gibbs and Michael McDowell rounded out the top five, displaying formidable pace heading into the race.
Front-Row Battles and Notable Qualifiers
The remainder of the top ten included Kyle Larson, Todd Gilliland, A.J. Allmendinger, Joey Logano, and Mexico’s own Daniel Suarez, who will start from tenth and carry the hopes of the home crowd. Drivers delivered competitive lap times throughout, with the top positions closely contested as session conditions evolved.
Van Gisbergen reflected on the improvements made to his car and his optimism for race day:
“We made some big swings last night. Our No. 88 Safety Culture Chevrolet was a bit better,”
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
“We had a lot more front grip, which is what I needed. But my laps were average.. like you’ll see everyone was beating me on the first-half of the lap, and then my lap gets good at the end. We had a lot of speed today, which is good. It’s been a great improvement. What a really cool achievement for us and a great start for tomorrow. I’m excited. That’s really cool.”
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
Session Structure and Weather Challenges
The open 45-minute qualifying session gave teams ample track time, structured closer to a practice format than a traditional qualifying dash. Weather concerns shaped the early pace, with light rain threatening conditions from the outset and ultimately leading to the premature conclusion of the session. NASCAR officials called a red flag with 17 minutes remaining as rain began, and qualifying did not resume due to ongoing showers.
Katherine Legge, making just her second Cup Series start, experienced a minor spin early, briefly halting action but emerging unscathed. Several contenders, including A.J. Allmendinger and Christopher Bell, took the gamble of a second run in hopes of improving their times, but worsening weather left them unable to advance higher in the order.
Midfield Surprises and Missed Opportunities
Playoff hopeful Chase Briscoe will have work to do, starting 19th and ending his three-race streak of poles in the Cup Series. The 23XI Racing squad struggled, with Tyler Reddick their fastest at 22nd. Hendrick Motorsports also faces an uphill battle, as both William Byron (27th) and Alex Bowman (29th) missed the top 25. Christopher Bell, who won the most recent road course event at COTA, was a surprise underperformer in 31st.
Among the storylines for the day, Ryan Truex, stepping in for Denny Hamlin, made his first Cup Series start in nearly 11 years and placed 36th in the 37-car grid, with Legge finishing out the field.
Momentum and Stakes Heading Into Race Day
This pole is a critical chance for van Gisbergen, whose season has demanded a turnaround for Trackhouse Racing. A win could dramatically influence the playoff scenario for both SVG and the championship at large. Rivalry at the front row with Ryan Preece, outstanding efforts from Ross Chastain, Ty Gibbs, and Michael McDowell, as well as strong representation from local favorite Daniel Suarez, have set expectations high for an intense contest.
With unpredictable weather already impacting qualifying, race day may bring additional challenges for drivers and teams, particularly for Shane van Gisbergen as he seeks both redemption and a postseason lifeline. The field is tightly packed, the stakes are high, and the energy around the Mexico City event points to a pivotal and charged Cup Series race ahead.
