Shane van Gisbergen of Trackhouse Racing secured pole position for Sunday’s Viva Mexico 250 at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez after leading the NASCAR Cup Series qualifying session on Saturday. The three-time Australian Supercars champion, known for his success on road courses, set the fastest lap at 92.776 seconds, narrowly outpacing Ryan Preece and Ross Chastain, who finished second and third respectively.
Van Gisbergen’s impressive qualifying time came before rain interrupted the session with an early red flag, which shortened the remaining schedule. Despite the weather, his leading lap held firm, positioning him ahead of notable competitors and setting an exciting tone for the upcoming race.
Key Performances and Trackhouse Racing’s Strong Showing
Ross Chastain, another standout from Trackhouse Racing, impressed by qualifying third, just fractions behind van Gisbergen’s time. Ryan Preece claimed second place, missing the top spot by a mere 0.064 seconds. Additionally, hometown favorite Daniel Suárez secured a spot within the top ten, further strengthening Trackhouse Racing’s presence on the grid.
Other prominent drivers included Ty Gibbs and Michael McDowell, who completed the top five, representing Joe Gibbs Racing and Spire Motorsports respectively. Defending champions Kyle Larson and Joey Logano qualified sixth and ninth, ensuring a competitive field for the Viva Mexico 250. These results highlight a blend of experienced champions and emerging talent poised to challenge throughout the race.
Challenges for Some Drivers in Mexico City Qualifying
Not all drivers enjoyed smooth sessions, as Christopher Bell faced difficulties aboard the No. 20 Toyota, qualifying only 31st despite a promising performance in earlier Xfinity Series qualifying. Ryan Truex, who filled in for Denny Hamlin in the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing entry, struggled to find speed and qualified 36th, positioning him near the back of the field.
These setbacks contrast with other drivers’ strong performances, adding to the tension and uncertainty heading into race day. Bell’s untimely qualifying position is particularly notable given his three race wins already this season, creating questions about how he might recover on Sunday.
Complete Starting Grid Reveals Close Competition Across the Field
The full lineup reflects a tightly contested qualifying session at Mexico City, with multiple drivers separated by slim margins. The starting order for the Viva Mexico 250 is as follows:
1. Shane van Gisbergen, No. 88, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet, 92.776 seconds
2. Ryan Preece, No. 60, RFK Racing Ford, +0.064
3. Ross Chastain, No. 1, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet, +0.073
4. Ty Gibbs, No. 54, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, +0.145
5. Michael McDowell, No. 71, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet, +0.198
6. Kyle Larson, No. 5, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, +0.208
7. Todd Gilliland, No. 34, Front Row Motorsports Ford, +0.244
8. AJ Allmendinger, No. 16, Kaulig Racing Chevrolet, +0.246
9. Joey Logano, No. 22, Team Penske Ford, +0.273
10. Daniel Suárez, No. 99, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet, +0.285
The rest of the top 20 includes established names such as Kyle Busch, Chase Elliott, and Austin Cindric, alongside emerging drivers like Riley Herbst and Carson Hocevar. The closeness of lap times underlines the competitive nature of this road course event, with many drivers separated by mere fractions of a second.
Implications for the Viva Mexico 250 and What to Expect
With Shane van Gisbergen starting on pole and Ross Chastain demonstrating strong pace in qualifying, Trackhouse Racing enters the Viva Mexico 250 as a significant threat to other championship contenders. The challenging circuit and unpredictable weather conditions add layers of complexity to race strategies, making the day ahead highly unpredictable.
Daniel Suárez’s solid qualifying run will excite the home crowd, offering local fans hope for a strong finish from their favourite driver. Meanwhile, drivers such as Christopher Bell and Ryan Truex will need to overcome difficult starting positions to make an impact.
The qualifying results set the stage for an intense, closely fought race on Sunday. Fans and teams alike will watch closely to see if van Gisbergen and Chastain can convert their front-running positions into strong finishes as the NASCAR Cup Series returns to this iconic venue.
