NASCAR took its first trip south of the border in over 60 years, as the Cup Series raced around the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez for the first time ever. Mexico's inclusion on the NASCAR calendar has been a controversial one,

NASCAR Cup Series drivers have hailed the championship’s first visit to Mexico City as a resounding success, praising both the crowd turnout and the atmosphere at the track. Sunday’s race at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez marked the first time NASCAR held a round of the Cup Series outside the United States since 1958.

Shane van Gisbergen won the pole for the Viva Mexico 250 in qualifying on Saturday, setting the fastest time (92.776, 93.904 mph) in a session that was cut short by rain. Van Gisbergen's pole is his first of the season and the second of his Cup career.