Van Gisbergen Dominates in Mexico City, Eyes Oval Improvement
Shane van Gisbergen delivered an impressive performance in the NASCAR Cup Series race in Mexico City, finishing over 16 seconds ahead of runner-up Christopher Bell. This victory marks the largest margin in a NASCAR Cup race since 2009, further solidifying van Gisbergen’s status as a formidable talent in road course racing.
"I’m here to win road races, but I also need to keep getting better on ovals," van Gisbergen stated post-race. He acknowledged the challenges he faces with only six road courses on the 36-race Cup schedule, noting the importance of making the playoffs with Trackhouse Racing.
Despite a challenging start to the season that saw him finish 31st or worse in six of his first eight oval races, van Gisbergen has shown significant improvement recently. He has achieved three top-20 finishes in his last four races and earned pole position in the All-Star Open at North Wilkesboro.
"My average position on ovals has drastically improved," he reflected, attributing his progress to a methodical approach and collaboration with his crew. His best finish on ovals came last year at Martinsville, where he placed 12th, while his top result this season remains a 14th at the Coca-Cola 600.
In summary, van Gisbergen’s recent performances showcase a marked improvement on ovals, complementing his established road course prowess. As he looks forward to future races, his focus will remain on balancing these skills to secure a successful playoff run.
