In NASCAR’s ‘win and you’re in’ championship format, winning a race is crucial for drivers as it guarantees them a spot in the playoff battle regardless of their points standing. Shane van Gisbergen (SVG) moved up from 33rd to 30th in the championship standings after winning at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, positioning him well for a playoff spot if the playoffs started today. With SVG being the tenth different winner this year, there are now only six spots left in the playoff field with ten races remaining in the regular season.
Without SVG’s win, Ryan Preece would have been on the bubble, but the situation has changed with SVG’s victory. Preece is now 19 points outside of the playoffs, making the competition tougher for the remaining playoff spots. Even though SVG is not yet locked into the playoffs, his win has solidified his position as a strong contender, potentially being the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year with a battle against Riley Herbst from 23XI Racing. The upcoming races will be crucial in determining the final playoff lineup and Rookie of the Year title.
