In a weekend filled with setbacks, Shane van Gisbergen overcame nearly every imaginable obstacle to win NASCAR’s first-ever international points-paying Cup Series race of the modern era.
The three-time Supercars champion and road course ace delivered a gutsy performance on Sunday at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City, leading 60 of 100 laps en route to a commanding 16.567-second victory over Christopher Bell. The win secures van Gisbergen an automatic berth in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs and adds another chapter to his growing legacy of thriving at new venues under the most unpredictable conditions.
The drama began before the wheels ever hit the track. A mechanical issue forced van Gisbergen’s charter flight to abort its first attempt at takeoff, delaying his arrival to Mexico City by a full day. Despite the travel chaos, the New Zealander shook off the jet lag and stormed to pole position during Saturday’s qualifying session.
But the true challenge arrived on race day.
Van Gisbergen fell ill overnight, experiencing severe gastrointestinal distress that left him physically drained. He was reportedly so unwell he had to sleep on the floor of his hauler before the green flag dropped, uncertain whether he could endure the grueling 100-lap race in the heat and altitude of Mexico City.
“I tried to treat it like when I go to Asia—bottled water, avoid the tap, all of that,” van Gisbergen said post-race. “But I just went downhill. Couldn’t keep anything in. My mind was there, but my body wasn’t responding. There was so much pressure in my stomach. It was a crazy weekend, but everyone dug deep and got it done.”
Once the race began, though, the 35-year-old looked locked in. In true SVG fashion, he showed mastery on the road course despite the physical toll, cruising to his second Cup Series victory in just his ninth career start. Rain, chaos, and discomfort didn’t faze him—echoing his memorable win in the wet streets of Chicago during his NASCAR debut last year.
His drive in Mexico showcased not just skill but sheer willpower.
Van Gisbergen’s win also marks another international moment for NASCAR as it pushes further into global markets. For the New Zealander, it was yet another testament to his adaptability and mental toughness under extreme pressure.
With his playoff spot now secured, van Gisbergen has time to recover and refocus. But make no mistake: he just turned in one of the most remarkable performances of the NASCAR season—and perhaps one of the gutsiest wins in recent memory.
