There are plenty of talking points following the NASCAR Cup Series race in Mexico City. Sure, it was the first Cup race held outside the US since 1958. Or why not talk about the chaotic start to the race with the rain? How about Shane van Gisbergen proving he’s not a one-hit wonder? Don’t get me wrong, other drivers had fast cars and made great drives. However, SVG won by over 16 seconds. Some may frown at it, and in some cases, hate that he’s now in the playoffs. But don’t hate the player, hate the game. One thing is for sure: NASCAR Cup Series racing in Mexico City was worth it.
SVG Proves He’s Road Course King in Mexico City, Shakes Up Playoffs
The guy had the speed from the drop on, despite some travel issues. He put his No. 88 on the pole with Ryan Preece alongside. Both were able to showcase some speed throughout Sunday’s race, but Preece, not being a true road racer, hit plenty of bumps later in the race.
The unknown was the best way to describe the Viva Mexico 250.
For the first time in our 77-year history, the Cup Series is racing in Mexico City!
We are underway at #NASCARMexico on @PrimeVideo! pic.twitter.com/NDntc4PUnh
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 15, 2025
The field quickly took the green, but rain began to fall, so a yellow was brought out to let the drivers come down and switch to rain tires. Everyone but Chris Buescher and Austin Cindric came down for the wets. Those two remained on slicks (regular tires). That made the next restart and the two or so laps after that crazy.
Things ended ugly for a lot of frontrunners on lap 7, as Kyle Busch came to hot in turn 1 and cleared out a lot of cars, including Kyle Larson, Justin Haley, AJ Allmendinger, among others. It was an ugly moment, as the cars just plowed into each other. To think how hard those cars hit, only Busch and Larson were all but destroyed.
We have trouble!
Multiple cars are involved! pic.twitter.com/ETMmptWak2
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 15, 2025
Gibbs Blows Great Opportunity Again
Strategy was the ultimate choice throughout this race. For a time, it looked like Ty Gibbs might be in line for his first career Cup win. There was a time he had the speed to match and maybe even beat SVG. Then again, Gibbs has had the worst start to his career yet, but after a third-place finish at Michigan, it appeared Mexico City was going to be a good day.
Gibbs, SVG, and Ross Chastain had the pace early and often. As did Cindric for a time, as he went nearly the whole first half of the race without pitting.
The No. 88 is setting the pace!@shanevg97 leads the way at #NASCARMexico. pic.twitter.com/CrpiAOb69d
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 15, 2025
The playoff spot battle would be a heavy discussion point throughout the day. Preece scored the stage one win, with plenty of the top contenders on the season failing to score points. Ryan Blaney and Chase Elliott did a good job on the day, though. Elliott, in fact, throughout most of the race, could get the most out of his car to pass people. Much like he did before the Gen-7 car, when he won seven road course races, the most of all active drivers.
Good Luck Stopping SVG on the Road Courses
SVG and Gibbs continued to battle throughout the rest of the race until the final round of pit stops. SVG baited Gibbs into not pitting before a caution came out. This put Gibbs behind several cars, who were already good to go to the end.
The No. 54 did not want to see this caution. https://t.co/liRYQTiUlH pic.twitter.com/9QFxSw7kFq
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 15, 2025
That caution all but ended Gibbs’ chance of keeping up with SVG. Plus, he faded late and made room for Christopher Bell and Elliott to be the only ones who may have had something for SVG. Looking back now, truthfully, no one had anything for the No. 88 as he beat Bell by over 16 seconds. Thus, SVG reigned supreme in Mexico City.
SVG WINS IN MEXICO! 🇲🇽 pic.twitter.com/CcHSV3Y6o5
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 15, 2025
The top three drivers, SVG, Bell, and Elliott, all got to partake in a podium celebration, which was a neat moment. But with Shane winning, things have really gotten interesting in the playoff field.
Pride on the podium. #NASCARMexico pic.twitter.com/zBsrlSqCtO
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 15, 2025
Playoff Shakeup
Speaking of the playoff shakeup, van Gisbergen goes from 33rd in points to locked into the playoffs. That also moves plenty of drivers who had great days below the cutline. Preece felt like he was in a good spot, but now he’s below the cutline. Now the series is at 10 winners, with still 10 races to go. Plenty of bumps and turns ahead. Which means not to say anything bad about SVG, but the playoff format has become even more questionable at best these days.
Who knows what could happen the rest of the way? And with so many drivers mad after Mexico City, this season is far from its last controversy.
Stenhouse v. Hocevar
That brings me to the one moment that certainly won’t be the end of the line. We’ve already seen Ricky Stenhouse Jr mad at Carson Hocevar following their run-in at Nashville a couple of weeks back. Well, more fire got added to the pot. The pair managed to find themselves in an entanglement late in the race on Sunday. Hocevar appeared to overcook it into the stadium turns and tagged Ricky, sending him spinning.
At the time, Hocevar was a lap down and out of the running, while Stenhouse was still up in the thick of things, fighting to better his finishing position. The pair exchanged words following the race. The onboard camera was able to pick up a lot of what was said. More or less, Stenhouse is sick of him and ready to settle it, but not until they are back in the US.
The incident and the exchange. pic.twitter.com/nqOjNWYogW
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 15, 2025
The blood is certainly boiling throughout the garage, after Mexico City. I suppose the Pocono Mountains will be a good place to settle. Oh, wait, probably just more trouble is ahead. NASCAR Cup racing and Mexico City were a perfect mix, it was. They certainly won’t be chatting over tacos and margaritas anytime soon.
Read More: Shane van Gisbergen Shocks In Chicago
Main Photo: James Gilbert, Getty Images
Recording Date: 6/15/2025
