In a performance that will be remembered for years to come, Shane van Gisbergen not only conquered the chaos and unpredictability of NASCAR’s first-ever Cup Series race in Mexico City, but he did it while battling food poisoning.
Yes, you read that right. Van Gisbergen, reportedly feeling under the weather all weekend with what’s being described as food poisoning, delivered a masterclass on a brand-new circuit, in mixed conditions, against NASCAR’s finest.
The Kiwi didn’t just win, he dominated, taking the chequered flag with a commanding 16.5-second lead.
The weekend was already shaping up to be one for the history books. NASCAR was making its long-awaited debut at the iconic Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, marking the first time in the Cup Series’ 77-year history that a race was held in Mexico City.
Van Gisbergen made his intentions known early by snatching pole position, underlining his reputation as one of the sport’s most accomplished road course racers.
Alongside him on the front row was Ryan Preece, followed by Trackhouse Racing teammate Ross Chastain and Ty Gibbs on row two. With road course aces like Michael McDowell, AJ Allmendinger, and Kyle Larson in the mix, the stage was set for an historic chaos-filled race, and it did not disappoint.
Wet Weather Wreaks Havoc
The drama began almost immediately. As the field navigated the first few corners on Lap 1, Van Gisbergen led cleanly, but just a lap later, rain began to fall, triggering the first caution. The entire field (bar two) bolted for wet tyres, and Chastain leapfrogged SVG in pit lane.
With the track wet and slicks still on some cars, restart chaos ensued. Drivers slid wide, struggled for grip, and collided.
Van Gisbergen briefly dropped back as Ty Gibbs surged forward, but SVG fought back, reclaiming second by Lap 6.
Moments later, a multi-car pileup brought the next caution: Kyle Busch spun into Larson, collecting Zane Smith, Briscoe, Haley, and Allmendinger in a messy melee.
SVG restarted alongside Gibbs and the battle resumed, aggressive, wheel-to-wheel racing as the two struggled with rear grip.
Van Gisbergen finally pulled ahead, and from there, began to assert himself as the fastest man on track.
Strategy Roulette as Rain Stops
With the rain fading and the circuit drying, strategy became king. SVG, leading by over 13 seconds with four laps to go in Stage 1, made a bold call to pit early for slicks.
It dropped him down the order but positioned him perfectly for the long game. Preece stayed out and took the Stage 1 win, but SVG’s gamble was already setting him up for success.
Briscoe received the free pass to return to the lead lap, while others shuffled pit strategies. Rain was expected again in Stage 2, and the tension ratcheted up.
Stage 2:
Starting from fifth, Van Gisbergen went to work. Michael McDowell and Carson Hocevar led briefly after staying out, but it didn’t last. Suárez, roared on by his home crowd, briefly surged to the front.
But it was Gibbs who once again moved into the lead, and Van Gisbergen right behind, dicing with Suárez in a battle of teammates that featured elbows-out aggression and mutual respect.
SVG passed Suárez on Lap 26 to reclaim second and hunted down Gibbs once more. Contact, spins and cautions continued: Nemechek tangled with Reddick, Gilliland got turned around in a three-wide with Preece and Elliott, and Truex brought out another yellow when he stalled after a spin.
Then came one of the most telling moments of the race.
With the team unsure whether to pit SVG or keep him out due to threatening skies, they asked if he was OK staying out.
His reply: “Easy.”
Classic van Gisbergen — calm, unbothered, confident.
Gibbs pitted under green with two laps to go; SVG stayed out and won Stage 2, proving the gamble was once again the right one.
“He’s an alien; he’s not like anyone else out there,” said one commentator.
The Final Stage: SVG Unleashed
The final 55 laps were a showcase of SVG’s race management, instinct, and pure speed. At the restart, he briefly lost the lead to Bell after a lock-up but recovered fast and retook control on Lap 52 when Bell went wide at Turn 11.
From there, Van Gisbergen hit another gear. His lead ballooned lap by lap, first to two seconds, then four, then six.
With 39 laps to go, SVG reported sprinkles of rain but opted to stay out. Bell pitted with 38 to go, and SVG followed a lap later for his final stop.
It was a perfectly timed move, because just seconds after rejoining, Carson Hocevar brought out a caution, handing SVG the net race lead once the rest of the field pitted.
However, there was one hiccup: “Something doesn’t feel right,” SVG radioed after the stop. But any issues were quickly forgotten, he nailed the restart and surged away once more.
SVG continued to stretch his legs at the front. Bell and Bowman battled behind, losing time, and with 16 laps to go, Van Gisbergen’s lead was up to nearly six seconds.
His team radioed in, telling him to manage the pace and back it down. SVG’s response?
“Stop telling me to slow down; let me concentrate!”
That summed up his mindset, laser-focused, fuelled by adrenaline (and probably electrolytes), and determined to get to the finish line first.
By the time the white flag waved, he was 13 seconds clear. By the time the chequered flag flew, it was 16.567 seconds.
A Victory for the History Books
On a day that delivered everything, wet and dry conditions, strategic chaos, wild crashes, local fanfare, and historic firsts, Shane van Gisbergen rose above it all.
He fought off food poisoning. He beat the elements. He made every key strategy call count. And he reminded the NASCAR world that when it comes to road courses, he’s built different.
“What a week, I’ve really enjoyed myself,” said van Gisbergen.
“I think the #54 (Ty Gibbs) was close, but that last stint, man. What a pleasure ripping lap after lap watching them get smaller and smaller in the mirror. Unreal.”
Final Top 10 – 2025 NASCAR Cup Series: Mexico City
- Shane van Gisbergen
- Christopher Bell
- Chase Elliott
- Alex Bowman
- Michael McDowell
- John Hunter Nemechek
- Chase Briscoe
- Cole Custer
- William Byron
- Chris Buescher
Shane van Gisbergen’s win in Mexico wasn’t just a victory. It was a statement.
He’s not just a specialist; he’s a threat anywhere. And if this is what he can do feeling sick on a track he’s never seen before, the rest of the Cup field better stay sharp on the remaining road courses this season and even on the ovals as he continues his upward trajectory.
His win also secures him a spot in the Nascar Cup Series playoffs.
When SVG’s in the zone, rain or shine, sick or not — there’s no stopping him.
Header Image: NASCAR via X
