Shane van Gisbergen crossed the finish line far ahead of the rest—but that was only part of the story. At Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, a race full of sharp turns, strange weather, and sudden chaos set the stage for something rare. It had been decades since a win like this happened in the NASCAR Cup Series. A mix of bold moves, smart strategy, and tough conditions made this event one of the most unforgettable races in recent memory.
SVG’s Historic Margin: A Blowout for the Books
In today’s NASCAR, where stage racing, parity, and late-race restarts often compress the field, a massive margin of victory is a rarity. That’s what made Shane van Gisbergen’s Mexico City triumph so striking. His 16.567-second win now ranks #2 on the list of largest Cup Series margins of victory since 2000.
Only Kurt Busch’s 25.686-second win at Texas in 2009 was larger over the past 25 years. Van Gisbergen’s dominant drive surpasses legendary wins by the likes of Jeff Gordon (12.871s at California in 2004), Tony Stewart (12.422s at Kansas in 2006), and Martin Truex Jr., who appears on the list three times for road course and intermediate-track blowouts.
Shane van Gisbergen's 16.567 second margin of victory over Christopher Bell at Mexico City slots in as the 2nd largest MOV in the last 25 years.
Here are the Top 10 largest margins of victory in the NASCAR Cup Series since 2000: pic.twitter.com/J3HGqdbCHv
— NASCAR Insights (@NASCARInsights) June 17, 2025
What made SVG’s margin even more remarkable was the nature of the race. It wasn’t a fuel-mileage cruise or a rain-shortened sprint. He had to fight through unpredictable weather, tire strategy swings, and multiple late-race cautions. Yet, once he regained the lead late, he simply disappeared from the field. As drivers spun, pitted, or faded, van Gisbergen managed his tires with surgical precision and clicked off lap after lap with elite car control.
It was a road course clinic—made even more meaningful by the backdrop of NASCAR’s first points-paying international race since 1958. Van Gisbergen, with just a handful of Cup starts to his name, now finds himself on a list usually reserved for veterans and champions.
Inside the Viva México 250
From the moment Jeff Gordon called out, “Drivers, start your engines,” fans knew this wouldn’t be a normal race. The green flag dropped, and Turn 1 erupted into chaos as the narrow road course funneled 38 cars into a space built for half that number. Ross Chastain muscled his way forward, Carson Hocevar cut a corner, and Shane van Gisbergen kept his line low and clean—a sign of things to come.
Then came the weather twist. Light rain swept across the circuit, triggering a yellow and a strategic scramble. Drivers like Chase Elliott struggled for grip, while Ty Gibbs found opportunity in the chaos. Teams had to choose: stick with wet tires or roll the dice with slicks on a drying track. Van Gisbergen, no stranger to mixed conditions from his Supercars background, made the bold move early—switching to slicks and never looking back.
The race wasn’t short on carnage. A multi-car wreck involving Kyle Busch, Justin Haley, and Zane Smith eliminated several contenders. Busch, unable to slow on the slick surface, slammed into Haley’s No. 7, setting off a destructive chain reaction that ended his race with heavy suspension damage.
Meanwhile, strategy battles raged. Ryan Preece capitalized on track position to take Stage 1, earning his second road course stage win of 2025. Van Gisbergen roared back in Stage 2, grabbing the lead just before another wave of pit stops. The crowd in the stadium section came alive when Daniel Suárez and Ty Gibbs fought for position, cheering loudly for the Monterrey native.
But a mistimed pit call during a late caution shuffled Gibbs out of contention, while SVG remained smooth and steady. As the track dried and grip improved, van Gisbergen pulled away from the field, untouched and untouchable.
Global Moment, Local Roars: NASCAR’s International Breakthrough
This wasn’t just another Cup Series road course—it was a celebration of NASCAR’s boldest international move in decades. With 90% of the crowd made up of Mexican fans, and nearly half from Mexico City itself, the Viva México 250 felt like a homecoming the sport didn’t know it needed.
From the colorful markets and packed grandstands to the chants for Suárez echoing through the stadium section, the local enthusiasm created a unique race-day atmosphere. Fans braved rain, sun, and everything in between to witness NASCAR’s newest chapter unfold.
SVG’s win served as a perfect capstone. After taking the checkered flag, he pulled off a raucous burnout in front of thousands of roaring fans, smoke filling the Mexico City air in celebration. The image—SVG standing on his car, saluting the crowd—is sure to be one of the season’s defining moments.
Adding to the prestige, Jeff Gordon’s presence as Grand Marshal brought historical weight, while a strong run from Daniel Suárez ensured that the home crowd had plenty to cheer for throughout the day.
News In Brief: Shane van Gisbergen’s Historic Mexico Win
Shane van Gisbergen’s 16.567-second victory in the Viva México 250 wasn’t just a win—it was a milestone. His dominant performance not only etched his name into NASCAR’s modern history but also symbolized the success of the sport’s global ambitions. From early chaos to late-race mastery, SVG handled every challenge with veteran-level poise.
As NASCAR looks beyond U.S. borders, this race proved that international events can deliver spectacle, drama, and deep fan engagement. With Mexico City in the rearview mirror and SVG’s legend growing, one thing is certain: the road ahead for NASCAR just got a whole lot more exciting.
ALSO READ: Shane van Gisbergen wins NASCAR Cup Series Mexico City as Ty Gibbs suffers heartbreaking setback
