Shane van Gisbergen faces a challenging NASCAR Cup rookie season marked by modest results through the first 15 races, with just one top-10 finish and limited success on predominantly oval tracks. As he prepares for Sunday’s inaugural Cup race at Mexico City’s Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez road course, the seasoned driver hopes to leverage his road racing talents, even as he wrestles with a strong dislike for wet conditions during competition.

The New Zealand native has demonstrated undeniable skill on road courses, highlighted by his dominant victory at the first Chicago Street Race nearly two years ago. Despite this, van Gisbergen currently sits 33rd in the standings, trailing the playoff cutoff by a substantial 126 points with 11 races remaining before the playoffs begin. His only viable route to the postseason is through a race win, making the Mexico City event a critical opportunity.

Shane van Gisbergen’s Road Course Strengths and Challenges Ahead

Mexico City’s 2.675-mile Andes-altitude road course offers a complex environment that both excites and concerns van Gisbergen. The track’s high elevation, over 7,200 feet above sea level, reduces engine horsepower due to thin air—introducing a variable that affects all Cup and Xfinity drivers equally. Van Gisbergen understands the difficulty in predicting car performance on this unfamiliar circuit.

“I do know that we will be competitive if we get everything right,”

he said to Sporting News.

“It’s so hard to know what the car’s going to be like — it’s a different track, how it’s going to be affected by the altitude and the surface.”

His prior success on road courses during his extensive Australian Supercars career remains a strong foundation to build on, but the pressure to win is immense given his current position outside the playoff picture. As the only automatic path into the playoffs for him, the stakes for the coming races are extremely high.

The Unwelcome Threat of Rain Despite Proven Ability

One complicating factor casting a shadow over van Gisbergen’s weekend is the forecast predicting rain during the race, a condition he paradoxically excels in but also deeply dislikes. Known for exceptional performance on wet tracks, including his Chicago Street Race win in rainy conditions, he faces a conflict between skill and personal preference.

“I absolutely hate racing in the rain, but I’m good at it,”

van Gisbergen admitted.

“I’d rather it didn’t rain but if it happens, we put the wets (rain tires) on and go.”

Despite his talent in such conditions, he conveyed a clear unease with rain, describing the driving experience as chaotic and unpleasant.

“It’s just never fun. You’re always sliding around and it just turns stuff into chaos. It’s fun to watch, but I don’t really enjoy driving (in it),”

he explained.

The Significance of Mexico City for van Gisbergen’s NASCAR Future

This upcoming race represents far more than just another event for Shane van Gisbergen; it is a crossroads that could determine his trajectory in the NASCAR Cup Series. Success on the twisting course could vault him into playoff contention, transforming a difficult season into a remarkable comeback driven by his road racing expertise.

However, the variable weather and unique altitude conditions add layers of uncertainty that van Gisbergen must navigate carefully. His candid reflections on rain highlight a driver who respects the challenge but struggles with the unpredictability it brings.

With 11 races left and a large points gap to overcome, the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez track and its conditions will test van Gisbergen’s resilience and adaptability. A win here would secure his playoff spot and demonstrate that despite a tough rookie season, he remains a formidable competitor when the terrain suits his skill set.