Turns out NASCAR\"s grand venture into Mexico wasn\"t the only international jolt to the Cup Series status quo. New Zealander Shane van Gisbergen, powering through a stomach ailment that forced him to seek pre-race medical treatment,

NASCAR Mexico Series President and CEO Jimmy Morales, from left, NASCAR driver Daniel Suarez, of Mexico, Ben Kennedy, executive vice president and chief venue and racing innovations officer and Federico Alemán, OCESA executive, pose for a photo on the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City, Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo) AP

Daniel Suarez became the first Mexican driver to compete in the NASCAR Cup Series on home soil and while he had hoped for better than his 19th-place finish in Sunday's inaugural Viva Mexico 250 at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez he said the experience had left him craving more.

No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports driver battles through back pain to score a top five at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.

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.