Shane Van Gisbergen shook up the NASCAR Cup Series playoff landscape with a dramatic win in Mexico City, securing the second Cup Series victory of his career. Van Gisbergen clinched the win by overtaking Christopher Bell by about 18 seconds in the final laps of NASCAR’s first-ever Cup race in Mexico City.
This triumph guarantees Van Gisbergen a spot in the 16-driver Cup playoffs, a stark turnaround from his previously disappointing season. Before Sunday, the former Australian Supercars champion was 33rd in the points standings after 15 races, having earned only one top-10 finish.
Additionally, Van Gisbergen benefits from a recent NASCAR rule change that removed the requirement for drivers to be in the top 30 in points at the end of the regular season to qualify for the playoffs via a win. Now, his strategy hinges on hoping that no more than 16 different drivers win races before the playoffs start, which seems likely given he is only the 10th different winner this season.
This victory recalls Van Gisbergen’s surprising 2023 triumph at the Chicago Street Race, where he became the first driver over 60 to win in his debut Cup start. Similar conditions were present in Mexico City, with rain delays and challenging track conditions, but Van Gisbergen showcased his speed and skill by pulling away from Bell in the closing laps.
Van Gisbergen entered the 2025 season viewed as a dark horse due to his road-racing abilities and the NASCAR playoff format favoring occasional road course specialists. His win now puts pressure on drivers like Kyle Busch and Ryan Preece, who are fighting to secure their playoff spots, especially after Busch crashed early due to brake issues.
Currently, Chris Buescher holds the final playoff spot as the 13th driver in points, but competitors behind him must either win or deliver strong performances to advance.
Mexico City Race Results:
1. Shane Van Gisbergen
2. Christopher Bell
3. Chase Elliott
4. Alex Bowman
5. Michael McDowell
6. John Hunter Nemechek
7. Chase Briscoe
8. Cole Custer
9. William Byron
10. Chris Buescher
(Positions 11-37 continued as listed)
Fan Take: Shane Van Gisbergen’s win is a game-changer that electrifies the NASCAR playoff picture by shaking up the established order and proving that road course specialists can significantly impact the season. For fans, this brings fresh excitement and unpredictability to the sport, promising thrilling battles in the races ahead.
