Shane van Gisbergen of Trackhouse Racing claimed the Viva Mexico 250 title in Mexico City, marking his first Cup Series win of the season. The victory is his second career Cup win, following his 2023 triumph in Chicago, as the road course specialist converted his pole position into a decisive finish. This win firmly secured van Gisbergen’s spot in the 2025 Cup Series playoffs, highlighted by an impressive margin of over 16 seconds ahead of his closest rival, Christopher Bell.
Race Highlights and Standout Performances
Van Gisbergen’s commanding victory was the largest margin seen in the NASCAR Cup Series since 2009. Christopher Bell finished second, representing Joe Gibbs Racing, while Hendrick Motorsports’ Chase Elliott took third in the No. 9 car. Michael McDowell and John Hunter Nemechek completed the top five in the No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet and No. 42 Legacy Motor Club Toyota respectively.
Though the conclusion of the race was mostly uneventful, the start was chaotic. Rain led to two early cautions in the first seven laps of stage one, triggering a six-car crash that resulted in significant damage to Kyle Busch’s vehicle. Busch was forced to retire from the race, causing a major setback in his pursuit of the playoffs, where he had recently climbed into the top 16 contenders.
Ryan Preece led stage one, finishing ahead of Ryan Blaney. Shane van Gisbergen collected maximum points during stage two, once again outpacing Christopher Bell.
Top 10 Finishers and Team Details from Viva Mexico 250
The race concluded with the following top 10 drivers:
1. Shane van Gisbergen, No. 88, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
2. Christopher Bell, No. 20, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
3. Chase Elliott, No. 9, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
4. Alex Bowman, No. 48, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
5. Michael McDowell, No. 71, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
6. John Hunter Nemechek, No. 42, Legacy Motor Club Toyota
7. Chase Briscoe, No. 19, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
8. Cole Custer, No. 41, Stewart-Haas Racing Ford
9. William Byron, No. 24, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
10. Chris Buescher, No. 17, RFK Racing Ford
Stage Results: Insights into Mexico City Race Progression
During stage one, Ryan Preece led the pack for RFK Racing, followed by Ryan Blaney of Team Penske and Ross Chastain from Trackhouse Racing, rounding out the top three. Other leaders included Michael McDowell in fourth and Todd Gilliland in fifth place.
Stage two was dominated by Shane van Gisbergen, who secured the lead consistently, with Christopher Bell trailing closely behind. Alex Bowman secured third, followed by Ryan Blaney and Michael McDowell completing the top five for the stage.
Kyle Busch’s Playoff Chances Compromised after Early Crash
Kyle Busch’s early exit significantly affected his chances of making the playoffs this season. After a six-car collision triggered by increasing rain, Busch’s car sustained critical damage, forcing him to retire. This setback places him below the cut-off line in his bid for the 2025 NASCAR playoffs, reversing the progress he had made in recent weeks.
Race Specifics: Location, Duration, and Broadcast
The NASCAR Mexico City race took place at the renowned Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, covering 242 miles (389.46 kilometers) over 100 laps. The event was held on Sunday, June 15th, 2025, with a scheduled start time of 3:00 PM ET. Fans were able to follow the race live via Amazon Prime, with radio commentary provided by MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Historical Context and Future Implications for the NASCAR Cup Series
The 2025 Mexico City race marked the first NASCAR Cup Series event held at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. Shane van Gisbergen’s performance not only secured his playoff berth emphatically but also set a benchmark with the largest victory margin seen in over a decade. Meanwhile, Kyle Busch’s early crash emphasizes the unpredictable nature of playoff racing and the challenges drivers face in securing a spot among the elite contenders.
As the season advances, this race will likely be a pivotal moment, influencing playoff positions and driver strategies. Van Gisbergen’s continued emergence as a road course specialist presents a new dynamic to the championship hunt, while Busch must rebound quickly to regain playoff viability.
“This is a huge win for me and the team, especially after the triumph in Chicago. Securing the playoffs so early feels incredible.” —Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing Driver
“The crash was devastating. We had momentum going, and to lose it like that really hurts our chances.” —Kyle Busch, Richard Childress Racing Driver
