An uncompromising Shane van Gisbergen earns his place in the play-offs

For the second time in his career, Shane van Gisbergen won the NASCAR Cup Series, this time dominating the first race held at the Mexico City circuit.

Published 16/06/2025 à 08:45

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An uncompromising Shane van Gisbergen earns his place in the play-offs

©NASCAR/Getty Images

The New Zealand driver is definitely fond of firsts! After winning the first race held on the streets of Chicago in 2023 (which was also his first start in NASCAR), Shane van Gisbergen doubled his lead by winning this Sunday at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodriguez, located in the Mexican capital, which hosted NASCAR for the first time.

Although he took the risk of staying on track with his Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet at the end of the second segment of the event, van Gisbergen had no trouble getting away from his rivals at the end of the race, and he crossed the line with a lead of more than 15 seconds, ahead of the Toyota of Christopher Bell's Joe Gibbs Racing.

“What a week! I had a lot of fun here, but I felt like a wreck this morning.”, explained the New Zealander, who clearly enjoyed Mexican life for a few days. “Our car was excellent. Ty Gibbs (in the No. 54 Toyota) was pretty close, but that last stint, what a treat… Putting in fast lap after fast lap and seeing everyone shrink in the mirrors, it’s really nice.”

Now a full-time NASCAR player, Shane van Gisbergen has secured his ticket to the end-of-season playoffs, even though this is only his first year in the premier class.