Shane van Gisbergen Wins at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Positions for Playoffs

In a pivotal race at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Shane van Gisbergen claimed victory, marking his first win of the NASCAR Cup Series season and solidifying his playoff position. Entering the race ranked 33rd in points, van Gisbergen’s triumph propelled him to 30th in the standings. Notably, he would qualify for the playoffs if they began today, positioning him among the top sixteen drivers.

This win represents the tenth different driver to secure a victory in the 2025 season, leaving six playoff spots available with ten races remaining in the regular season. Chase Elliott, currently fourth overall, remains ranked eleventh in the playoff standings due to being winless thus far.

Following van Gisbergen’s win, the playoff bubble shifted dramatically. Ryan Preece, who was once on track for a playoff spot, now sits 19 points outside, with Buescher now vulnerable in the 16th position. Current standings indicate Preece is 24 points clear of Michael McDowell and 26 points ahead of AJ Allmendinger, who are positioned just below the cutline.

Despite SVG’s success, he is not locked into the playoffs, as the possibility of seven different race winners remains. This season’s competition is further intensified by the Rookie of the Year battle, now closely contested between van Gisbergen and Riley Herbst of 23XI Racing.

As the season progresses, technical adjustments from teams may be critical as they prepare for the remaining races, with the stakes rising significantly for those vying for playoff contention.