The NASCAR Cup Series returned to Mexico City for a points-paying race at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, marking its first such event outside the United States in over six decades. Shane Van Gisbergen’s win there secured his spot in the playoffs, intensifying the battle among remaining drivers with only six playoff berths left and 10 races remaining in the regular season.

With ten drivers already clinched by wins, several contenders now face urgent pressure, including five whose playoff chances were significantly damaged by the outcomes in Mexico.

Drivers Under Pressure After Troubling Performances in the Viva Mexico 250

Kyle Busch’s Early Crash Leaves Playoff Hopes in Doubt

Kyle Busch’s race ended abruptly just seven laps in when he locked up entering Turn 1 on the wet track, colliding with Kyle Larson, Justin Haley, and A.J. Allmendinger. This incident forced him out with a 37th-place finish, damaging an already frustrating season. Busch trails the playoff cutoff by 50 points, and unless he can regain his strong form at tracks like Pocono, where he boasts four wins, the possibility of missing the playoffs for a second year in a row looms.

Carson Hocevar’s Spin Hampers His Progress Toward the Playoffs

Carson Hocevar had spent much of the Viva Mexico 250 running in the top ten before spinning inside the stadium section and dropping a lap behind, ultimately finishing 34th. His 313 points place him 20th in the standings, well outside the playoff bubble. Despite promising runs on oval tracks recently, road-course struggles and race incidents have left Hocevar scrambling to keep his postseason hopes alive.

Ryan Preece Loses Ground Despite Strong Early Showing

Ryan Preece‘s bright moment came early when he won Stage 1 of the Mexico City race, but a pit-road violation and late-wall contact derailed his momentum. Though he rallied to finish 15th, his points tally of 354 places him just below the cutline, 19 points shy. Preece’s six top-ten finishes in 2025 demonstrate skill, especially on road courses, but the lack of a win is beginning to weigh heavily on his playoff ambitions.

Ty Gibbs Shows Speed but Fails to Break Through

Ty Gibbs impressed by leading 27 laps and matching the pace of Van Gisbergen, but a caution on Lap 65 while he was on pit road dropped him back, leaving him unable to reclaim a lead. He finished just outside the top ten, compiling 296 points and standing 24th in the standings. Despite over 100 Cup starts, Gibbs remains winless and must find a way to translate speed into victories before the regular season concludes.

Daniel Suárez’s Home Race Disappoints, Putting Playoff Chances in Jeopardy

Daniel Suárez celebrated a Saturday Xfinity Series win at the same venue but was unable to replicate that success in the Cup on Sunday. After leading early, Suárez faded to 19th place, pushing him down to 28th in points with 274 and far from playoff contention. His early-season top-five at Las Vegas is his sole highlight, and ongoing inconsistency now puts him in a dire position with only ten races remaining to secure a playoff spot.

Mexico Race Outcomes Reshape the Fight for Playoff Slots

Van Gisbergen’s win at the Viva Mexico 250 not only granted him a guaranteed playoff spot but also placed immense pressure on drivers on the playoff bubble. With 10 races left and numerous contenders still vying for limited postseason slots, every remaining event will be critical. Drivers like Kyle Busch, Carson Hocevar, Ryan Preece, Ty Gibbs, and Daniel Suárez must overcome significant setbacks if they hope to prolong their 2025 Cup Series campaigns beyond the regular season.