For the first time since 1958, the NASCAR Cup Series held a points-paying race outside the United States—and the return to international soil did not disappoint. The Viva México 250 at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City delivered unpredictable weather, daring restarts, chaotic incidents, and a masterclass performance by road course ace Shane van Gisbergen. From Jeff Gordon’s iconic “Start your engines” to a raucous burnout in front of thousands of passionate fans, the race was a defining moment in NASCAR’s global push.
Mayhem at the Start: Turn 1 Delivers Early Drama
As soon as the green flag dropped, Turn 1 became the battlefield many expected it to be. With multiple cars going three- and even four-wide into the tight braking zone, chaos was nearly inevitable. Ross Chastain jumped up the order from the outside, while Shane van Gisbergen tried to hold his line low. Carson Hocevar took the first off-track excursion, cutting the corner in what’s become a trademark aggressive style.
While most of the field made it cleanly through the initial S-curves, the fast pace and unfamiliar road course left no room for error. Drivers had to be precise—not just fast—and tire management would quickly emerge as a major concern.
Weather Twist: Rain Turns Strategy into a Gamble
A light rain moved over the track early in the race, triggering a caution and sending teams scrambling. Drivers like Chase Elliott were seen sliding under braking, while others like Ty Gibbs used the moment to leapfrog forward as visibility and grip declined.
The rain brought a pivotal decision point: stay on wet tires or gamble on a drying track with slicks. Shane van Gisbergen, known for his prowess in wet conditions from his Supercars background, opted to pit early. Others like Ryan Preece and Ryan Blaney stayed out and gained temporary track position. These tire strategy calls would heavily influence the race’s two stage outcomes.
Big Crash Alters the Field
A multi-car wreck added a dramatic turn mid-race when Kyle Busch, Justin Haley, Zane Smith, and others tangled in worsening conditions. Busch, unable to slow in the slick zone, slammed into the 7 of Haley, setting off a chain reaction. The impact broke the right front suspension and rear toe link on Busch’s No. 8 car, ending his day and damaging others around him.
“It was just pinball down there,” the broadcast noted, describing how multiple drivers lost rear grip simultaneously. The wreck brought out a key caution and altered pit strategy windows for top contenders.
Stage Battles and Strategy Shuffles
Ryan Preece took advantage of track position to win Stage 1—his third career stage win and second on a road course, both coming in 2025. Shane van Gisbergen came back strong in Stage 2, taking the lead just before another round of strategic pit stops. Ty Gibbs and Daniel Suárez battled hard in front of a roaring Mexican crowd, especially in the stadium section where Suárez, the Monterrey native, got massive cheers.
Gibbs made a late-stage pit stop just before a caution flew—an untimely yellow that cost him crucial track position and likely a shot at the win. Meanwhile, van Gisbergen managed his slicks to perfection as the track continued to dry, maintaining solid lap times and avoiding tire flat-spotting.
Shane van Gisbergen Closes It Out with Authority
SVG, as he’s often called, showcased his elite car control and smooth driving in the closing laps. He avoided the chaos of restarts, including several incidents that saw drivers cut the course, spin through the grass, or slam into tire barriers.
William Byron turned Riley Herbst in a late-race incident that summed up the intensity and unpredictability of the day. But up front, van Gisbergen was calm and calculated. His ability to balance tire wear, manage braking zones, and find grip where others couldn’t gave him a clear edge.
In the final laps, SVG pulled away from the field, cruising through the stadium portion for one final time before taking the checkered flag and making NASCAR history.
A Victory for SVG and NASCAR’s Global Vision
Shane van Gisbergen’s win in Mexico City marked his second career Cup Series victory—and his second on a road course. His first came in the rain-soaked Chicago Street Race in 2023, and now he’s etched his name into the record books again with the inaugural win at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
“You’re such a badass,” his team radioed as he crossed the finish line. The New Zealander then delivered a celebratory burnout in front of the grandstands, capping off a race that was as entertaining as it was historic.
News in Brief: Full Highlights from NASCAR’s Historic Cup Race
The Viva México 250 delivered everything NASCAR fans could want—chaos, weather drama, strategic battles, and a historic international win. Shane van Gisbergen showcased his elite road course talent, mastering both wet and dry conditions to earn his second career Cup Series victory. The race featured multiple cautions, wild restarts, bold tire gambles, and hometown cheers for Daniel Suárez. From Jeff Gordon’s grand marshal moment to SVG’s victory burnout, this race proved NASCAR’s global future is bright.
