"Proud" is the word Ben Kennedy is attaching to NASCAR's weekend in Mexico City.The historic Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez course hosted both the Xfinity Series, which last competed in the country in 2008,

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.

For the second time in his NASCAR Cup Series career, Shane van Gisbergen is a winner. He started from the pole Sunday and claimed the first-ever Cup race in Mexico City at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. The 36-year-old is known as a road-course specialist. His first victory came in his debut — the 2023 Chicago Street Race.