NASCAR Cup Series history was made south of the U.S. border on June 15th, 2025. The series headed to Mexico City’s Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez for its first-ever points-paying race held outside the U.S., and when the checkers dropped, it was the No. 88 NASCAR Chevy of Shane Van Gisbergen tearing up the track in celebration after positively dominating the competition.
Van Gisbergen – himself a native of New Zealand and a transplant from the Australian Supercars Championship – earned the second Cup Series victory of his stock car racing career in Mexico on Sunday. Van Gisbergen, who also won the inaugural Chicago Street Race in 2023 in his first-ever NASCAR start, started the weekend strong with a pole position. While he didn’t lead flag-to-flag, he was certainly the NASCAR Chevy to beat as the field battled suboptimal rainy conditions and an unfamiliar racetrack.
Van Gisbergen claimed a 16.567-second victory over runner up Christopher Bell in the No. 20 Toyota TRD Camry. That’s the largest margin of victory in quite some time, and Van Gisbergen pulled it off despite suffering illness earlier in the day.
“What a week. I’ve really enjoyed myself here, but felt like rubbish this morning,” Van Gisbergen said. “Our car was amazing. The 54 [Ty Gibbs] was close, but that last stint, what a pleasure, just ripping lap after lap and watching them get smaller in the mirror.”
Van Gisbergen admitted that he phoned a friend when he realized he’d be dealing with a wet race track in the opening laps. He texted F1’s Max Verstappen, who has five trophies from Mexico in his trophy case. Whatever Verstappen told him, clearly, it worked.
The No. 9 NASCAR Chevy of Chase Elliott claimed the final podium spot. Alex Bowman’s No. 48 NASCAR Chevy was fourth, while the No. 71 Chevy of Michael McDowell rounded out the top five.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. went after fellow Bow Tie racer Carson Hocevar after the race ended. Stenhouse told Hocevar that he planned to “beat his ass,” and though Hocevar admitted fault, Stenhouse threatened to settle the score once the two drivers returned to the states. It’s not clear what led to the disagreement in Mexico City.
Comments
So glad to see some races through Prime Video, if not for Prime I could not watch them at all.
Right, like I genuinely don’t understand why people are so upset about Prime. Its much more accessible for cable especially for younger people
I’m a long time race fan in my 70’s and have nothing to do with what you call it prime? If I can’t watch NASCAR cup races on regular TV, I don’t watch it. Now that I don’t watch, I have lost interest in cup racing. Sorry but that is just the way it is.
That sucks, Prime coverage is super easy to access. And like 40% of the Cup races are on premium cable channels anyway. But dont worry you have already been replaced by fans who care. 🙂
. Most of my older friends disagree with you. l guess if we don’t pay for prime we can watch the highlights online free the next day if we care. LOL
Like I said that’s ok! To each their own. Sorry you’re upset you’re being replaced. I’ll be over here enjoying my roundy rounds on Prime. 🙂
I like prime’s coverage and with Danielle,Carl,and Cory covering the post race, it brings back the old way of proper coverage. My wife and I are “ beyond in age”and get prime free because we use their shipping platform that saves gobs of money. Also Jr, Steve, and Adam covering all the action, what else can you ask for?
I too will not pay another subscription fee to watch a sporting event. NASCAR, I’m through with it. Too many yellow flags, “overtime” is a stupid concept as the races are not timed events. The chase, the chase, so tired of hearing that. Front wheel drive cars are now rear wheel drive race cars. Spec racing at its best not anywhere near a “stock”” car. Too long of races, boring and whining little sissy girls if something doesn’t go the way a driver wants.
Oh, and NOW Mecum is on ESPN+ which is an extra monthly subscription. Done with them too.
He is a fantastic driver , and he did it all on his own. Because in Australia they have two drivers share one car, even for a three hundred mile (500kms) race called the Sandown 500. I was in Australia last year for some races, i asked a lot of people why they have two drivers share one car, some told me it is a cost cutting exercise, other fans told me they put an inexperienced driver with a experienced driver, so they get a chance to stand on the podium. I dont see that system in Formula one , indy or Nascar, very very strange.