NASCAR has traditionally been dominated by American drivers, but recent years have seen a notable rise in success from international competitors. Over the past five years, foreign-born drivers have not only participated but have increasingly clinched wins, signaling a shift in the sport’s landscape. This trend gained visibility during the 2022 Cup race at Watkins Glen, which featured drivers from seven different countries—a new high for the series.

Across NASCAR’s top three national series—the Cup, Xfinity, and Trucks—competitors hailing from seven countries have secured victories. Canada leads with 13 wins, but collectively, drivers born outside the United States have amassed 43 total wins. Some notable international talents, despite impressive performances in the lower tiers, have yet to seal a Cup Series victory, highlighting the competitive challenge at NASCAR’s apex levels.

Shane Van Gisbergen’s Dominant Triumph at The Glen

The recent Go Bowling at The Glen race marked a significant milestone in NASCAR history. Australian driver Shane Van Gisbergen showcased commanding performance, controlling 38 of the 90 laps, including the critical final 17. He secured his victory with a commanding lead of over 11 seconds ahead of Christopher Bell. This win adds to Van Gisbergen’s rapidly growing legacy and further emphasizes the increasing impact of international drivers in NASCAR.

Most Accomplished Foreign-Born NASCAR Cup Series Winners

The legacy of international drivers who have succeeded in NASCAR’s Cup Series includes several distinguished names who have left their mark despite being outnumbered by American counterparts.

Mario Andretti: Originally from Istria, a region now part of Croatia, Andretti immigrated to the United States in 1955 and carved a legendary motorsports career spanning multiple disciplines. He won the 1967 Daytona 500, marking his sole NASCAR Cup win during a brief stock car career with three top-ten finishes overall.

Juan Pablo Montoya: This Colombian racing star brought an impressive record into NASCAR, including two Indianapolis 500 victories, a Monaco Grand Prix win, and multiple 24 Hours of Daytona titles. In his 256 Cup races, Montoya captured two wins—at Sonoma in 2007 and Watkins Glen in 2010—and recorded the best Cup Series finish by a non-American driver by tying for eighth in 2009.

Marcos Ambrose: Transitioning from Australia’s Supercars championship, Ambrose became known as a road-course specialist. He holds the record as the most successful foreign-born driver in the Xfinity Series with five wins and achieved both his Cup wins at Watkins Glen in 2011 and 2012.

Daniel Suárez: The Mexican driver from Monterrey stands out as the only foreign-born champion in a NASCAR national series, capturing the 2016 Xfinity Series title with Joe Gibbs Racing. Suárez has won across all three national series and scored Cup victories at Sonoma in 2022 and Atlanta in 2024, earning two playoff appearances.

Shane Van Gisbergen: Emerging as one of the fastest and most dominant foreign-born drivers in recent NASCAR history, Van Gisbergen has made a remarkable impact since his 2023 debut. Winning on his first attempt at the Chicago Street Course, a feat no driver had achieved in over six decades, he has quickly added victories at Mexico City, Chicago, Sonoma, and Watkins Glen in the current season. With five Cup wins in less than two seasons, Van Gisbergen has already eclipsed previous foreign-born records, transforming from a debut curiosity into a formidable force on road courses.

The Growing Impact and Future of International Drivers in NASCAR

Shane Van Gisbergen’s surge highlights the broader trend of diverse talent thriving in a sport that once relied heavily on American drivers. His success, paired with those of Montoya, Suárez, Ambrose, and Andretti, indicates NASCAR’s expanding appeal and competitiveness on a global scale. As Van Gisbergen continues his winning streak in 2024, his performances are expected to inspire more international participation, raising the sport’s profile and driving competition to new heights.