Shane van Gisbergen wins NASCAR Mexico City debut in a stunning showcase, celebrating victory in Sunday’s Viva Mexico 250 at the famed Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, as NASCAR hosted its first international points-paying Cup Series event in over fifty years. The thrilling race weekend drew passionate crowds and set a new milestone for the sport in Mexico City, highlighting the event’s significance for both local fans and the wider motorsports community.
Historic Triumph for Shane van Gisbergen at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
Shane van Gisbergen climbed to the top step of the podium, donning a traditional Mexican sombrero and launching champagne in the air to mark his victory in front of thousands of fans. The atmosphere was electric throughout the venue, with a knowledgeable audience welcoming top drivers and responding enthusiastically to the international expansion of NASCAR. The event proved successful despite a handful of mid-week logistical hurdles, praised by organizers, teams, and those in attendance.
Every part of the experience reflected world-class standards: the track offered an elite racing environment, and the grandstands were filled with vocal, engaged supporters. From drivers such as Todd Gilliland of Front Row Motorsports, Michael McDowell of Spire Motorsports, and Bubba Wallace from 23XI Racing, to the dedicated crowd, the spirit of racing was evident across the fan zones and paddocks. The positive energy was felt and reciprocated by all participants.
Daniel Suarez’s Homecoming Delivers Unforgettable Moments
Returning to his home country with deep passion, Trackhouse Racing’s Daniel Suarez played an essential role in promoting the historic race weekend. Greeted wherever he went by throngs of supporters chanting his name, waving signs, and donning his racing gear, Suarez enjoyed “rock star” treatment reminiscent of major pop culture icons. The emotional peak came as he stood with his family during Sunday’s opening ceremony, joining a children’s choir for the Mexican National Anthem—a poignant moment for both the driver and his fans.
Suarez delivered for the home crowd, winning Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race and showing strong pace early in Sunday’s main Cup event. Even after finishing nineteenth in the Cup race, he was embraced by fans as if it were a victory, highlighting the powerful connection between Suarez and Mexican NASCAR enthusiasts.
“Every single thing about this weekend exceeded my expectations, the people, the fans, the sponsors, the excitement, the energy,”
—Daniel Suarez, Trackhouse Racing driver
“So very, very happy for that. Very blessed. I hope that we can do it many more times.”
—Daniel Suarez, Trackhouse Racing driver
A Vibrant Mexican Welcome and International Atmosphere
The collective joy extended beyond the drivers to include NASCAR officials and sponsors, who lauded the reception and passion shown by Mexican fans. NASCAR Hall of Famer and Hendrick Motorsports executive Jeff Gordon spoke with optimism ahead of the race, noting the significance of the international event. Embracing local culture, Gordon delivered a special “Pilatos, start your engines” command, blending traditions for the crowd. He believed the energetic turnout could open new opportunities for sponsorship and growth.
“There are a large amount of fans that want to see NASCAR in person. Internationally, I think it opens a lot of doors for sponsorships and if we have a crowd that’s as energetic today as it was yesterday – of course Daniel [winning] played into that too – but to me, the most exciting thing about coming here is the passion, the excitement, the energy that fans here in Mexico bring. … that’s why I think we’re here.”
—Jeff Gordon, Hendrick Motorsports executive
The cosmopolitan setting featured a significant presence of Mexican nationals, with NASCAR executive Ben Kennedy reporting that approximately 90 percent of attendees hailed from within Mexico, and almost half from Mexico City itself. This localized enthusiasm underscored the event’s deep resonance with the capital’s vibrant motorsports community.
Leadership Praises Historic Achievement and Unifying Spirit
Ben Kennedy, NASCAR’s Executive Vice President and Chief Venue and Racing Innovations Officer, highlighted the sense of history unfolding at the Viva Mexico 250, emphasizing the collective effort invested by teams, organizations, and supporters to make the international event a success. Kennedy refrained from confirming whether the Mexico City race would appear again on the following year’s schedule, noting the ongoing process of planning future seasons. Still, he expressed optimism about the potential for recurring events in Mexico, given the positive outcomes and strong fan response.
“This was a historic moment for our sport, for Mexico, for the global motorsports community and for a lot of folks that came together to be able to make this happen.”
—Ben Kennedy, NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Venue and Racing Innovations Officer
The NASCAR leadership team acknowledged challenges with adapting to a new venue and market, referencing previous experiences such as the Los Angeles Coliseum event and the inaugural street race in downtown Chicago. Kennedy described these efforts as examples of bold, innovative direction for the organization, with international expansion now providing another major milestone.
“I can tell you, we’re very bold about continuing to bring the series internationally and Mexico is a great place to do it. This weekend is a great example of that and I would say we’re very hopeful to be back here.”
—Ben Kennedy, NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Venue and Racing Innovations Officer
He further reflected on the unifying role of sports, especially high-profile competitions like NASCAR, in bringing together diverse communities under a common passion for racing.
“It brings people together with shared passion and shared values. And that’s what we saw this weekend. People from all walks of life came together and watched an amazing race with the best drivers in the world, and that’s what I’m most proud of.”
—Ben Kennedy, NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Venue and Racing Innovations Officer
The Road Ahead for NASCAR’s International Presence
The success of Shane van Gisbergen’s victory and the significant fan engagement in Mexico City signal a promising direction for NASCAR’s aspirations beyond the United States. This electrifying debut at the Viva Mexico 250 has demonstrated the immense appetite for world-class motorsport in new locations, while emphasizing the value of cultural exchange and community in the sport. With the next season’s schedule still in development, officials have remained positive about returning, energized by overwhelming fan support and the seamless integration of local enthusiasm and international racing standards.
As NASCAR continues exploring bold new venues, capitalizing on moments such as this, Mexico City’s standout event promises to leave a lasting impact, not only for the series but for motorsport fans across the globe. The unity and shared joy witnessed at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez have set a new benchmark for international racing, making it likely that Shane van Gisbergen’s historic victory will inspire future editions and further opportunities for NASCAR on the world stage.
