Race victor announced: Red-hot Van Gisbergen triumphs in NASCAR's inaugural event in Mexico, bagging the Viva Mexico 250 trophy.
In the pulsating race of Mexico City, it was none other than Shane "SVG" van Gisbergen who stormed to victory, leaving rain and chaos in his wake. This triumph took place at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, marking NASCAR's debut in the Mexican capital.
Sitting pretty in pole position, Van Gisbergen didn't waste time, commanding the lead through the stormy race. The weather forced teams to make quick adjustments to their tire strategies, making the race even more challenging.
The decisive moment arrived on lap 52. With Christopher Bell leading the pack, Van Gisbergen made an audacious move through a tight corner. A brief touch of the wheel between the two drivers saw SVG powering ahead, never looking back after securing the lead. Despite Bell's relentless pursuit in the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, Van Gisbergen held on, writing his name in the NASCAR history books.
Bell had to settle for second place, while Chase Elliott clinched third, battling hard with Alex Bowman in the closing laps.
The crowd erupted midway through when local hero Daniel Suarez momentarily took the lead. However, the excitement was short-lived as Suarez faded to finish a disappointing 19th.
For Van Gisbergen, a seasoned racer with a trophy case bursting at the seams, this victory is another feather in his cap. A three-time Australian Supercars champion who's making a name for himself in American stock car racing, the win in Mexico City is just another significant breakthrough, following his victory at the Chicago Street Race in 2023.
In NASCAR, Van Gisbergen competes full-time for Trackhouse Racing, driving the No. 88 Chevrolet with two significant victories under his belt - the inaugural Chicago Street Course race in 2023 and Mexico City in 2025. This win also secured a spot in the NASCAR playoffs. In 2024, SVG drove the No. 97 car for Kaulig Racing in the Xfinity Series, claiming victories at Portland International Raceway, Sonoma Raceway, and the Chicago Street Course.
Van Gisbergen's dominance doesn't stop there. He's a three-time Australian Supercars champion and has achieved a win in the Bathurst 12 Hour, as well as a podium finish in the 24 Hours of Daytona. He made history by winning the first-ever NASCAR Cup Series street race in Chicago and by winning NASCAR's first international points race since the 1950s in Mexico City.
Sports and racing were at the forefront during the nail-biting NASCAR race in Mexico City, most notably during a decisive moment on lap 52. Van Gisbergen, commanding the lead through stormy conditions, made an audacious move to overtake Christopher Bell, ultimately securing his victory in the race and setting a significant street racing milestone in American stock car racing.
