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Newsweek
16 hours ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Shane Van Gisbergen Took Notes From Max Verstappen For Mexico Cup Race Win
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Shane van Gisbergen approached four-time Formula One world champion Max Verstappen for his advice ahead of the Cup Series race at Mexico's Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez circuit and went on to win his second NASCAR Cup Series race. With Trackhouse Racing being backed by Red Bull, van Gisbergen was able to connect with Verstappen for his input. The Dutchman has won five times at the Mexican GP venue and thus was the perfect source to impart his knowledge. Van Gisbergen led for a heroic 60 laps, dominating the race by finishing 16.5 seconds ahead of runner-up Christopher Bell. Making the feat more special was the fact that this was NASCAR's first race outside the USA after 1958. Shane Van Gisbergen, driver of the #88 Safety Culture Chevrolet, celebrates after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Viva Mexico 250 at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on June 15, 2025 in Mexico City, Mexico. Shane Van Gisbergen, driver of the #88 Safety Culture Chevrolet, celebrates after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Viva Mexico 250 at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on June 15, 2025 in Mexico City, has been known to dominate F1 Grands Prix similarly, making his advice to van Gisbergen more valuable. Speaking to the media after the race, the Mexico City Cup Series race winner said: "I just look for every advantage I can. I know he's raced here in the rain and he's a friend of mine, and I walked out on to pit road this morning and it was amazing how slick it was. "Normally on a wet circuit the tarmac has grip and the white lines are slipperier. It was the opposite. It was like ice how slippery it was out there." While van Gisbergen ended the weekend on a high note, the same could not be said about Verstappen, who secured second place at the Canadian Grand Prix. Van Gisbergen started the race on pole, giving him that extra edge. Speaking after the race, the three-time Supercars champion stated further: "That's why I'm here, to win road races. But I'm not here to run last on the ovals either. I need to keep getting better to justify being a Cup Series driver. I need to be performing on the ovals, too. "I feel like we're really making strides, but yeah, this is what I'm here to do, make the playoffs, put another Trackhouse car in the playoffs, and yeah, can't wait to do the victory lunch during the week at Trackhouse and just see how stoked everyone is there. You see the effort everyone puts in, and they don't get the glory. They're just stuck at the shop. I love taking that and sharing that moment with them during the week." Related: Daniel Suárez Shares Powerful Story of Adapting to the USA Before NASCAR Xfinity Win
Toronto Sun
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Toronto Sun
Van Gisbergen's emotional win in Mexico City locks him into NASCAR playoffs
Published Jun 15, 2025 • 4 minute read Shane Van Gisbergen, driver of the #88 Safety Culture Chevrolet (centre) winner, Christopher Bell, driver of the #20 Mobil 1 Toyota (left) second place, and Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 LLumar Chevrolet, third place celebrate in victory lane the NASCAR Cup Series Viva Mexico 250 at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on June 15, 2025 in Mexico City, Mexico. Photo by Sean Gardner / Getty Images MEXICO CITY — Shane Van Gisbergen once again mastered a new track — this one the iconic Mexico City road course — to win NASCAR's first Cup Series points-paying race outside the United States of the modern era. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The New Zealander led 60 of 100 laps Sunday at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez to earn his first Cup victory since he won in his NASCAR debut at the inaugural 2023 street course race in Chicago. That victory changed his career trajectory and Van Gisbergen left Australia V8 Supercars, where he was a multiple champion, for a full-time move to NASCAR. Although he had success in the Xfinity Series — he won three races last year as Trackhouse Racing developed him for a Cup Series ride — Van Gisbergen has struggled this year at NASCAR's top level. He started the race ranked 33rd in the Cup standings with only one top-10 finish through the first 15 races of the season. But his victory in Mexico City earned him an automatic berth into NASCAR's playoffs with a shot to race for the Cup Series championship. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Van Gisbergen benefitted from an early pop-up rain shower on the first lap of the race because he's an exceptionally skilled driver on a wet surface. His win at Chicago was in monsoon-like conditions. He won the pole in Mexico City and started the race as the BetMGM betting favourite, particularly since rain was in the forecast. He had to contend with several challengers, Ty Gibbs and Christopher Bell of Joe Gibbs Racing among them, but took the lead for good with 31 laps remaining. Trackhouse now has two of its drivers — Ross Chastain and Van Gisbergen — locked into the playoffs. But it was a bit of a disappointment for Daniel Suarez, the Monterrey native who thrilled the hometown crowd with a win in the Xfinity Series race on Saturday, as he failed to challenge his teammate for the win and finished 19th. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Suarez, who appeared to be blinking back tears as he sang along with the Mexican national anthem in pre-race ceremonies, desperately wanted the home win in this contract year with Trackhouse. He was the face of this event as NASCAR ventured outside the U.S. with its top series for the first time since 1958. Bell finished second in a Toyota for JGR — 16.567 seconds behind the winner. He was followed by Chase Elliott in a Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet. Alex Bowman, who hurt his back in a crash last week at Michigan, withstood the pain for a fourth-place finish in his Hendrick Chevrolet. Michael McDowell of Spire Motorsports was fifth and followed by John Hunter Nemechek in a Toyota for Legacy Motor Club. Chase Briscoe of JGR was seventh and followed by Cole Custer for Haas Factory as the highest-finishing Ford driver. William Byron of Hendrick was ninth and Chris Buescher of RFK Racing rounded out the top 10. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Chevrolets took five of the top-10 positions, including the victory. Bad day for Busch Kyle Busch, who started the race at the bottom of the playoff standings, suffered a massive setback when he crashed out of the race on the sixth lap and finished last in the 37-car field. Busch, who was ranked 15th in the Cup Series standings when he arrived in Mexico City, blamed the incident on the wet track. 'Just in the rain, and I went down into (Turn) 11 and got on the brakes pretty hard, and everything was fine, everything was comfortable, stopped really good,' he said. 'And I'm like 'OK I can be a little more aggressive getting into 1,' and I figured it was going to be fine, and as soon as I went to the brakes, it was like being on ice, and I was just sliding. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'About a second a half or so, I was trying to figure out which direction to go, and I was like I've got to turn this thing around backward, because I'm going to nail some people. Hate it for all those involved in my mishap. I hate that the rain came and now it's nice and dry. Just have to go fight for more points in another week.' Gordon gives command NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon was selected to give the command for drivers to start their engines and admitted before the race he'd done some practicing. Why? Because he incorporated both English and Spanish in his delivery of the most famous words in racing. 'Hola Mexico!' Gordon shouted. 'Pilotos start your engines! Up Next NASCAR races next Sunday at Pocono Raceway, where Ryan Blaney won last year. Check out our sports section for the latest news and analysis. Care for a wager? Head to our sports betting section for news and odds. Sports Toronto & GTA Relationships Canada World
