Schoen Vangisbergen made history in 2025 by securing his third career win at the Chicago Street Course, becoming the most impressive foreign-born driver in NASCAR Cup Series history. Traditionally dominated by American racers, NASCAR has rarely seen non-American victors, especially at the highest levels, since no Cup Series events took place outside the U.S. between 1958 and the first race in Mexico City in 2025. Daniel Suarez stands out as the sole foreign-born driver to have clinched a national-level NASCAR title, winning the Xfinity Series Championship in 2016.
In recent years, NASCAR has gradually internationalized, both in terms of events and driver line-ups. Notably, the 2022 Cup race at Watkins Glen included drivers from seven different countries—a record for the series. Out of 11 Cup Series wins by foreign-born drivers, nearly half have occurred in the last five years. Overall, drivers from seven countries have triumphed at the national NASCAR level, with Canada contributing 13 of the total 41 foreign wins across all three major series.
Here’s a rundown of some prominent foreign-born NASCAR winners:
– Shane Van Gisbergen from Auckland, New Zealand, has achieved 7 wins (3 in Cup, 4 in Xfinity). Debuting in 2023 at the Chicago Street Course with Trackhouse Racing, he transitioned from a highly successful supercar career to NASCAR and is already a strong playoff contender and Rookie of the Year favorite in 2025.
– Daniel Suarez of Monterrey, Mexico, holds 7 wins (2 Cup, 4 Xfinity, 1 Truck) and uniquely won titles across all three national NASCAR series, including the 2016 Xfinity championship. Suarez also made playoffs twice and has won on both road courses and ovals.
– Australian Marcos Ambrose, with 7 total victories (2 Cup, 5 Xfinity), is known for excelling on road courses, particularly Watkins Glen, where he earned all his Cup wins and several Xfinity victories. Like Van Gisbergen, Ambrose was a supercar champion before shifting to NASCAR.
– Canadian Ron Fellows, a road course expert, earned 6 wins (4 Xfinity, 2 Truck) mainly by excelling at tracks like Watkins Glen and Montreal. Though he never won at Cup level, his impact in NASCAR’s road racing events is notable.
– Stewart Friesen from Canada competes full-time in the Truck Series and boasts 4 Truck Series wins, combining his dirt racing experience with NASCAR success.
– Juan Pablo Montoya of Colombia, an accomplished racer across multiple disciplines, took 3 wins (2 Cup, 1 Xfinity). Known for his versatility, Montoya won early in NASCAR career including Rookie of the Year honors and had strong finishes in Cup standings.
– Nelson Piquet Jr., originally from Brazil but born in Germany, captured 3 wins (1 Xfinity, 2 Truck) with notable oval victories and an Xfinity win at Road America before retiring from NASCAR by age 30.
– Legendary Mario Andretti, born in Italy, won a single Cup race, most famously the 1967 Daytona 500, contributing to his already legendary motorsport legacy.
– Earl Ross from Canada scored a Cup win at Martinsville in 1974 and earned Rookie of the Year honors the same year, finishing 8th in championship points—a high mark for foreign-born Cup drivers.
– Larry Pollard, also Canadian, won once in the Xfinity Series in 1987 and was the first foreign-born driver to do so, while also serving as a respected crew chief.
– Raphaël Lessard from Quebec claimed a Truck Series victory as a young driver, showcasing potential in NASCAR’s development ranks.
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Fan Take: This growing presence and success of international drivers like Schoen Vangisbergen and Daniel Suarez highlight NASCAR’s expanding global appeal and talent diversity. For fans, it means more thrilling competition and a richer story as the sport evolves beyond its traditional American roots, potentially attracting new audiences worldwide.
