NASCAR Cup Series: Van Gisbergen Dominates in Mexico City
Mexico City, October 15, 2023 – Shane van Gisbergen of Trackhouse Racing secured a commanding victory in the NASCAR Cup Series race at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, finishing nearly 17 seconds ahead of second-place Christopher Bell. Chase Elliott rounded out the podium in third, unable to challenge van Gisbergen, who showcased remarkable speed throughout the event.
The race weekend began tumultuously for van Gisbergen, facing travel delays and battling an illness that forced him to cancel a scheduled appearance with NASCAR on Prime. Nonetheless, he dominated the race, displaying exceptional driving skills, including a strong performance during a rain-affected stint.
"What a week, I’ve really enjoyed myself here," remarked van Gisbergen post-race. "I felt pretty rubbish today… But thank you to Trackhouse, Chevy, and ECR engines. Our car was amazing."
This win marks van Gisbergen’s second career victory in the Cup Series, following his triumph at the Chicago Street Course earlier this season, propelling him into playoff contention. He now joins teammate Ross Chastain, the Coca-Cola 600 winner, in the playoff race.
In the top five, Alex Bowman finished fourth and Michael McDowell fifth, while John-Hunter Nemechek, Chase Briscoe, Cole Custer, William Byron, and Chris Buescher completed the top ten.
Race Breakdown
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Stage 1: Van Gisbergen started alongside teammate Chastain, but rains brought a caution early on. In a strategic decision, several drivers opted for wet-weather tires while others stayed on slicks. An incident involving Kyle Busch resulted in significant damage, sidelining him for the race.
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Stage 2: Returning to slick tires, van Gisbergen won the stage amidst a caution caused by Ryan Truex’s spin. Gibbs opted for an early pit, losing ground to van Gisbergen.
- Stage 3: The final stage commenced with increased aggression, leading to multiple spins and contact. A critical caution was called for a stalled vehicle, allowing van Gisbergen to retake the lead. Maintaining his advantage, he avoided further cautions, solidifying his victory.
Post-race tensions surfaced between drivers, notably between Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Carson Hocevar, indicating the competitive atmosphere prevalent throughout the race.
This decisive win reinforces van Gisbergen’s status as a formidable contender in the Cup Series, highlighting his adaptability and prowess on the track.
