The NASCAR Cup Series roared into new territory Sunday with the Viva Mexico 250 at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, the first international points-paying Cup race in 67 years. And as the rain clouds loomed and the engines screamed, it was Shane van Gisbergen—already a road course sensation—who delivered a performance for the ages.
Driving the No. 88 Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing, the New Zealander dominated the 100-lap race, leading 60 laps and pulling away late for a commanding 16.567-second win over Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell. It was the largest margin of victory in the Cup Series since 2009, capping off a wild weekend that included illness, altitude, and rain.
The win not only secured van Gisbergen a probable playoff berth in his rookie season, but it also marked his second win in just a handful of Cup Series starts—and once again on an unfamiliar layout far from NASCAR’s typical ovals.
Full Race Results: Comebacks, Crashes, and a Podium Surprise
While van Gisbergen’s flag-to-flag efficiency stole headlines, Bell’s journey from 31st on the grid to second place was arguably the grittiest drive of the day. Equally notable was Chase Elliott’s charge to third, giving Hendrick Motorsports another strong showing as the regular season winds down.
| Finish | Driver | Car No. |
| 1 | Shane van Gisbergen | 88 |
| 2 | Christopher Bell | 20 |
| 3 | Chase Elliott | 9 |
| 4 | Alex Bowman | 48 |
| 5 | Michael McDowell | 71 |
| 6 | John Hunter Nemechek | 42 |
| 7 | Chase Briscoe | 19 |
| 8 | Cole Custer | 41 |
| 9 | William Byron | 24 |
| 10 | Chris Buescher | 17 |
| 11 | Ty Gibbs | 54 |
| 12 | Bubba Wallace | 23 |
| 13 | AJ Allmendinger | 16 |
| 14 | Ryan Blaney | 12 |
| 15 | Ryan Preece | 60 |
| 16 | Ross Chastain | 1 |
| 17 | Erik Jones | 43 |
| 18 | Austin Cindric | 2 |
| 19 | Daniel Suarez | 99 |
| 20 | Tyler Reddick | 45 |
| 21 | Joey Logano | 22 |
| 22 | Todd Gilliland | 34 |
| 23 | Ryan Truex | 11 |
| 24 | Justin Haley | 7 |
| 25 | Brad Keselowski | 6 |
| 26 | Josh Berry | 21 |
| 27 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | 47 |
| 28 | Austin Dillon | 3 |
| 29 | Riley Herbst | 35 |
| 30 | Noah Gragson | 4 |
| 31 | Cody Ware | 51 |
| 32 | Katherine Legge | 78 |
| 33 | Ty Dillon | 10 |
| 34 | Carson Hocevar | 77 |
| 35 | Zane Smith | 38 |
| 36 | Kyle Larson | 5 |
| 37 | Kyle Busch | 8 |
The back half of the field saw no shortage of drama. Kyle Larson, second in the standings entering the race, was caught in a Lap 7 multi-car crash and finished a dismal 36th, falling 67 points behind regular season leader William Byron. Kyle Busch suffered mechanical issues and was also sidelined early.
Mexico’s own Daniel Suárez, fresh off an emotional Xfinity Series win the day before, ran mid-pack most of the afternoon and crossed the line in 19th place, after briefly leading laps early and making a final pass on the last lap to climb up one more spot.
Moments that Defined the Race — And the Crowd’s Roar
The fans turned out in force, and the setting made this a truly unique Cup Series event. Mexican fans were treated to a national anthem sung by a children’s choir, a grandstand-wide chant for Daniel Suárez, and a rugby ball kicked into the crowd by van Gisbergen in celebration.
One of the most unique post-race scenes included a Formula One-style podium ceremony, a nod to the international flair of the venue, with SVG, Bell, and Elliott hoisting their trophies while the New Zealand national anthem played.
Another moment drawing attention came after the race when Ricky Stenhouse Jr. confronted Carson Hocevar on pit road, continuing their feud from Nashville. No punches were thrown, but Stenhouse made it clear that tensions haven’t cooled.
Off-track, van Gisbergen credited Formula One champion Max Verstappen for sharing tips about the circuit and braking zones, which may have helped him extend his lead in the final laps.
What’s Next: Pocono and the Push for Playoffs
With just 10 races remaining in the regular season, the playoff picture is tightening. SVG’s win puts him firmly into the mix, while Larson’s crash shakes up the points battle at the top. The Cup Series now heads to Pocono Raceway for the Great American Getaway 400 on June 22, marking the final Prime Video stream of the season.
After that, it’s on to Atlanta Motor Speedway under the lights for the Quaker State 400 on June 28, which will air on TNT as NASCAR’s evolving media schedule continues.
News In Brief: Viva Mexico 250 Full Results
The Viva Mexico 250 was more than just a race—it was a milestone for NASCAR’s global ambitions and a cultural celebration for fans both local and abroad. From the roar of the engines to the emotional high of Daniel Suárez’s homecoming, and the surgical precision of van Gisbergen’s drive, the day delivered on every front.
As NASCAR looks to the future, this event set a high bar for international races to come. The fans got their show, SVG got his trophy, and the playoff race just got a lot more interesting.
ALSO READ: Bold Predictions for the 2025 Viva Mexico 250: Who Will Win the NASCAR Cup Race in Mexico?
