It didn't matter that Shane van Gisbergen was "leaking out both holes" due to an illness; he still put on a clinic as he captured the win at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on Sunday afternoon.
Van Gisbergen, who came down with an illness on Sunday, started from the pole and spent the early portion of the inaugural Cup Series race in Mexico City battling with Ty Gibbs.
Once the timing of the final caution took Gibbs out contention for the win, van Gisbergen showed that he is still a force to be reckoned with on road courses.
MORE: Mexico City Cup results
The three-time Supercars champion led the final 32 laps at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. He built up a lead of more than 17 seconds over Christopher Bell in second place. He was able to cruise his way to his second career Cup Series win. The ultimate margin of victory was a staggering 16.5 seconds.
"He was really good," Bell said about van Gisbergen. "Ultimately it was just a third-place day. I felt like Ty was really good, so the yellow flag bit him and we walked away with second.
"Both days in the Xfinity car I was the third place car, and today I felt like I was the third place car. I think more than anything it was just me. I need to do a little more homework and figure out where I can be better to keep up with these guys."
A Mexico City burnout!@shanevg97 | #NASCARonPrime pic.twitter.com/r4KVNtKEDI
— Sports on Prime (@SportsonPrime) June 15, 2025
Van Gisbergen, who also won his first-ever Cup Series start in Chicago back in 2023, punched his ticket to the playoffs. He will now go from 33rd in points to at least 16th when the Round of 16 begins.
"I've really enjoyed myself here," van Gisbergen told Prime Video after the race. "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 was close, but that last stint, man, what a pleasure just ripping lap after lap and watching them get smaller in the mirror. Unreal."
Van Gisbergen will have an opportunity to score more points as the regular season continues, preferably without having to overcome another illness. He has more road courses ahead of him with trips to Chicago, Sonoma, and Watkins Glen.
Gibbs, who led 27 laps, had to settle for 11th after a caution for Carson Hocevar trapped him out on the track in the final stage. He was unable to pass Chase Elliott and several other drivers who made their final pit stops at the same time.