Shane Van Gisbergen once again mastered a new track — this one the iconic Mexico City road course — to win NASCAR’s first Cup Series points-paying race outside the United States of the modern era.

The New Zealander led 60 of 100 laps Sunday at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez to earn his first Cup victory since he won in his NASCAR debut at the inaugural 2023 street course race in Chicago. That victory changed his career trajectory and Van Gisbergen left Australia V8 Supercars, where he was a multiple champion, for a full-time move to NASCAR.

“Man, that was epic,” he said.

Although he had success in the Xfinity Series — he won three races last year as Trackhouse Racing developed him for a Cup Series ride — Van Gisbergen has struggled this year in NASCAR Cup.

He started the race ranked 33rd in the Cup standings with only one top-10 finish through the first 15 races of the season. But his victory in Mexico City earned him an automatic berth into NASCAR’s playoffs with a shot to race for the Cup Series championship.

Van Gisbergen benefitted from an early rain shower on the first lap because he’s an exceptionally skilled driver on a wet surface. His win at Chicago was in monsoon-like conditions.

He won the pole in Mexico City and started the race as the BetMGM betting favorite, particularly since rain was in the forecast. He had to contend with several challengers, Ty Gibbs and Christopher Bell of Joe Gibbs Racing among them, but took the lead for good with 31 laps remaining.

And, he won feeling under the weather. He was ill before the start of the race in what was a bizarre weekend for him. He was one of the drivers stranded in North Carolina on Thursday when his chartered plane suffered a mechanical issue on takeoff and the team was stranded until Friday morning.

Van Gisbergen arrived in Mexico City Friday morning but was still awaiting many crew members. Then he got sick late Saturday and was sleeping on the floor of his hauler before Sunday’s race.

“I felt pretty rubbish today ... that wasn’t fun,” Van Gisbergen said. “Our car was amazing. That last stint, man, what a pleasure just ripping lap after lap and watching them get smaller in the mirror. Unreal.”

He admitted after the race he’d texted with four-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen about the intricacies of the Mexico City circuit.

“A little bit in the wet — just what lines to take and how to approach it,” he said. “What a guy.”

Formula 1

George Russell won his first race of the Formula 1 season as the Mercedes driver held off defending race winner Max Verstappen at the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal.

It was the fourth win of Russell’s career. The race ended under yellow when McLaren teammates Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris staged a late battle that ended with Norris hitting the wall.

Russell started on pole for the second straight year and held the edge most of the race. Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli finished third behind Verstappen for his first F1 podium.

FIA

Robert Kubica’s long road back from a crash which nearly ended his career culminated in victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans (France) as Ferrari won for the third year running.

The No. 83 Ferrari 499P crew of Robert Kubica, Ye Yifei and Philip Hanson took the win as Ferrari won for the 12th time in the 93rd edition of the storied race, which began 102 years ago.

IndyCar

Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Josef Newgarden flipped his car upside down during Sunday night’s race at Gateway in Madison, Ill., outside St. Louis. Newgarden crashed midway through the race after contact with Louis Foster.

Foster spun into the wall and shot across the track, stopping directly in Newgarden’s path. Newgarden was unable to avoid the direct collision and his car launched into the air, damaged the SAFER barrier, landed on its roof and then skidded for a considerable distance.

The IndyCar safety crew immediately helped Newgarden from his car and he radioed his Team Penske crew he was fine.