NASCAR Cup Series: Historic Race in Mexico
Race Summary:
This weekend marked a significant milestone in NASCAR history as the Cup Series held its first points-paying race outside the United States since 1958 at Mexico City’s Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. Shane van Gisbergen (SVG) claimed a commanding victory, leading 60 of the 100 laps and winning by a staggering 16.5 seconds—a record margin since 2009.
Key Results:
- Winner: Shane van Gisbergen (Trackhouse Racing) – 2nd career NASCAR Cup win.
- Runner-Up: Justin Haley (Kaulig Racing).
- 3rd Place: Alex Bowman (Hendrick Motorsports).
- Best Finish for Haas: Cole Custer finished 8th, marking their best result of the season.
Highlights:
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Dominance by van Gisbergen: “That was epic," SVG exclaimed, emphasizing the performance of his race-winning car. His victory is particularly notable as it represents both a personal milestone and a historic event for the sport.
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Ty Gibbs’ Hard Luck: Despite running a strong race, Gibbs encountered an unfortunate caution that cost him track position, ultimately finishing 11th. "I was there until I got caught out," he reflected.
- Local Hero: Daniel Suarez delighted his home crowd by winning the Xfinity race on Saturday. However, he struggled in the Cup race, unable to replicate his success.
Challenges:
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Kyle Busch’s Missteps: The two-time champion faced a disastrous outcome when he spun out during a rain-affected lap, causing a multi-car crash that ended his day in 36th place, severely impacting his playoff position.
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Carson Hocevar’s Controversy: Continually finding himself at the center of incidents, Hocevar’s race ended in confrontation with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. after an on-track incident.
- Ty Dillon’s Disappointment: After showing strong pace early in the race, Dillon fell to 33rd place, struggling during restarts and unable to maintain his position.
Conclusion:
The inaugural NASCAR Cup race in Mexico was both historic and eventful, highlighted by van Gisbergen’s stunning performance and marred by misfortune for several competitors. The series looks forward to returning to the U.S. for the next race, where teams will regroup and refocus their efforts.
