Shane van Gisbergen NASCAR Mexico win with Verstappen advice became the talk of the motorsports world after a remarkable performance at NASCAR’s first Cup Series race in Mexico City, where he revealed that insights from Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen played a role in his preparation. Van Gisbergen, representing Trackhouse Racing, not only commanded the race but also made history on the international stage Sunday.
Van Gisbergen Delivers a Masterful Drive in Mexico
Taking the wheel of the No. 88 Chevrolet, van Gisbergen led a dominant 60 of 100 laps at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez and crossed the finish line a significant 16.5 seconds ahead of Christopher Bell from Joe Gibbs Racing. This result marked the largest victory margin in the Cup Series since the 2009 event in Texas, highlighting van Gisbergen’s impressive command over the field throughout the race.
This victory added a second Cup Series win to the New Zealander’s record, building on his debut triumph in Chicago in 2023. The event itself was notable as NASCAR’s first race outside of the United States since 1958, further underscoring the significance of van Gisbergen’s achievement at the renowned Mexican venue.
Strategic Support from Fellow Red Bull Star Verstappen
Among the surprises of the weekend was van Gisbergen’s decision to consult with Max Verstappen — a driver who holds the record for five Formula 1 wins at this very circuit with Red Bull. The pair share ties to Red Bull, with van Gisbergen displaying the brand’s iconic colors in five events this season, connecting two motorsports disciplines on a unique stage.
Describing his winning mindset, van Gisbergen explained,
I just look for every advantage I can,
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver. Verstappen’s extensive experience racing at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, including handling the circuit’s tricky conditions, proved valuable. Van Gisbergen described walking onto pit road in the morning and being surprised at the lack of grip, finding the tarmac “slick,” with even the white lines proving less slippery than usual.
He recounted,
I just reached out to him, was the grip on line, off line, what kind of techniques did he use, and, yeah, he didn’t say too much, but it’s always good to get a little leg up, you know.
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver. This advice may have given van Gisbergen the subtle confidence needed to manage the challenging track surface better than his competitors.
After a Tough Season, a Dramatic Playoff Boost
For van Gisbergen, this performance was especially meaningful amid a tough rookie Cup Series campaign. Up until his landmark victory in Mexico, he had just a single top-10 finish. Despite ranking 30th in the drivers’ championship, the Mexico result is set to provisionally secure his place in the 2025 playoffs, a remarkable turnaround in what had been a challenging year.
The achievement not only advances van Gisbergen’s standing in the series but also shines a spotlight on the influence of international experience and collaborative insight, as seen in his partnership with Verstappen and support from Red Bull. As NASCAR continues exploring global venues like Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, this win signals increasing opportunities for drivers like van Gisbergen to showcase their adaptability and determination on motorsport’s biggest stages.
