Sunday in Mexico City, Shane van Gisbergen (SVG) was nearly unstoppable, driving off with the victory by almost 17 seconds. It ended up being the biggest margin of victory in any Cup race since the 2009 season. Christopher Bell finished a distant second with Chase Elliott third, but neither could even see the Trackhouse Racing Team driver at the checkered flag.
The weekend started with aircraft issues that delayed his arrival to Mexico City and on Sunday morning, he had to cancel an appearance with NASCAR on Prime as he battled an illness. But none of that would deny him the victory on Sunday in a race that even featured a stint in the rain.
"What a week," said Van Gisbergen "I've really enjoyed myself here. I felt pretty rubbish today leaking out both holes. That wasn't fun. Thank you to SafetyCulture, Trackhouse, Chevy, and ECR engines. Our car was amazing. I think the #54 [Gibbs] was close, but that last stint, man, what a pleasure just ripping lap after lap and watching them get smaller in the mirror. Unreal."
On the radio communication to slow down, which SVG refused to do, he explained that "when I go slow, I just lose concentration, so I was trying to stay in a rhythm and a routine, and Josh [Williams, spotter] and Stephen [Doran, crew chief] are doing such a great job keeping me calm and focused. Man, that was epic.
The final run of the race lasted over 30 laps, but SVG managed it to perfection, ensuring no one could challenge him. The New Zealand driver now has two victories in the Cup Series with the first coming in the inaugural running of another event -- the 2023 Chicago Street Course. This win vaults him from 33rd in the standings to the playoffs, joining teammate Ross Chastain, who won the Coca-Cola 600.
Behind the podium finishers, Alex Bowman and Michael McDowell filled out the top five. John-Hunter Nemechek, Chase Briscoe, Cole Custer, William Byron, and Chris Buescher rounded out the top ten.
Stage 1
The initial start was clean as the Trackhouse teammates worked together with SVG leading the way over Chastain. However, the caution flag flew for rain falling down on the track.
While most of the field pitted for wet-weather tires, Cindric and Buescher boldly chose to stay out on slicks. In the chaotic restart that followed, Gibbs managed to take the lead while Cindric and Buescher dropped through the pack.
Kyle Busch lost control under braking on the approach into Turn 1, spinning wildly out of control. He slammed into Kyle Larson, Justin Haley, and A.J. Allmendinger. Both Chase Briscoe and Zane Smith were also collected.
Busch was unable to continue while Larson spent a third of the race in the garage making repairs. On the restart, it became a battle between SVG and Gibbs for the top spot with SVG prevailing, but he ultimately gave up the stage win in favor of short-pitting.
Gibbs followed suit, allowing Ryan Preece to claim the stage win.
Stage 2
SVG was fifth for the start of the second stage, leading those who switched back to slick drivers. The front four were all on used wets and they were not able to hang on for long. But it was all part of the plan as they planned to pit a few laps later anyway.
Halfway through the stage, Ryan Truex (filling in for Denny Hamlin) went for a spin, causing a caution. Van Gisbergen went on to win the stage as Gibbs chose to pit just before the stage break.
Stage 3
The beginning of the final stage was hectic, with lots of contact and several cars spinning. Chastain, Stenhouse, Hocevar, Preece, and Truex all lost ground due to spins or notable incidents.
On Lap 62, the final round of green-flag pit stops began with Bell ducking to the pits. Van Gisbergen followed suit two laps later, but before Gibbs could pit as well, everything changed.
Hocevar went for a spin in the final corner and stalled, forcing a yellow flag that proved costly for Gibbs. SVG cycled back to the race lead and avoided the restart chaos behind him, quickly pulling away from the field.
And while drivers fought over the lesser positions and there were some minor incidents, the caution flag never flew again. Of note, Hocevar and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. had another run-in, despite recent comments from the Spire Motorsport driver promising to back down the aggression. After the race, Stenhouse stuck his head into the window of Hocevar's car and appeared to shout at him.
