Shane van Gisbergen, first winner of NASCAR Mexico

▲ The Mexican (99) has established himself as a benchmark for fans of top-level racing. Photo by Victor Camacho

Joshua Reyes Samano

La Jornada Newspaper, Monday, June 16, 2025, p. 9

Daniel Suárez's dream of becoming the first Mexican driver to win a top-flight NASCAR race will have to wait; however, he has cemented himself as a new benchmark for fans. Despite not making it onto the podium yesterday in the Viva México 250, finishing 19th, where New Zealander Shane van Gisbergen (Trackhouse Racing) won the race, accompanied by Cristopher Bell (Joe Gibbs Racing) and Chase Elliot (Hendrick Motorsports), the Monterrey native gave the crowd the joy of seeing a fellow Mexican compete on a top-level circuit at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, despite the nostalgia caused by Sergio Checo Pérez's departure.

"I think we made history in an impressive way. It was very special that we all came together here at the most important racetrack for me, and that I was able to compete in both categories to thrill the great fans who were in the stands. I'm very happy, but not satisfied. I would have liked to win both races ," said Suárez, who is the third Mexican to have raced in this category after Pedro Rodríguez and Jorge Goeters.

In addition to his on-track performances, the Trackhouse Racing driver's statements expressing solidarity with Mexicans suffering from raids in the United States earned him the affection of the crowd. The venue was ideal for winning over the crowd; for the first time in history, the NASCAR Cup Series, the series' top category, was held at the historic venue in the Magdalena Mixiuhca neighborhood.

Daniel didn't win, but he left us with a good taste in our mouths. He excited us all and he did a great job , commented one fan.

Suárez spoke a few days ago about the importance of the series' arrival in the country, which is deeply rooted in American culture. Yesterday, the first international Cup Series race since 1958 was held, marking the third time in 77 years that the main series has held a championship-contributing event outside the United States. The last two were in Canada, and exhibitions have also been held in Japan and Australia.

After his performance on Saturday in winning the Xfinity Series with a spare car, which went down in history in gold, the Mexican driver faced a bigger challenge yesterday on a cloudy afternoon in the nation's capital.

A blue and white racing car roared from tenth on the grid, driven by the 33-year-old Monterrey native, who, true to form, was aggressive from the start, climbing to fourth place. The smell of burning tires, the deafening roar of the engines, and the squealing of tires in the pits were the main features of the race's opening day, which was opened by series legend Jeff Gordon.

While some members of the public knew that the Monterrey native was a NASCAR driver, others were unaware that he raced in the top category.

Adding to this atmosphere was the rain, which brought out yellow caution flags in the opening laps. The Trackhouse Racing driver held onto the top 10 in the opening stages of the race and excited the crowd by taking the lead on lap 20, but his lead evaporated within minutes, as he began to fall behind.

While on Saturday he demonstrated the reason for the existence of categories by winning the Xfinity Series despite multiple adversities, yesterday he proved that he must work to remain at the top level of the series, because in stages three and four of a 100-lap race, the tricolor was unable to compete with the leaders, so he concluded his participation in the top 20.

I hope to win soon. I have to keep working and give my all on every track. We've found more speed over the last four weeks, and it's been noticeable on the track, but it clearly hasn't been enough , he added.

Van Gisbergen's win was his first of the season; his best finish was sixth. The victory secured him a spot in the NASCAR Cup playoffs , while Suárez needs a win to secure a spot in the postseason, which begins at Darlington on August 31.

The fans in the stands supported the Mexican throughout. Thousands of people were seen wearing leather jackets with the logos of various teams, as well as nostalgic Red Bull t-shirts bearing the name Checo Pérez. Videos also circulated on social media showing some fans fighting in the stands, which were separated by security personnel.

I confirmed something I already knew: Mexicans are the best fans, and I'm very proud to have been born here. I'm leaving with a smile on my face knowing that back home, here in Mexico, I have so many people who love and support me , Suárez concluded.

Ap

La Jornada Newspaper, Monday, June 16, 2025, p. 9

Montreal. George Russell won his first race of the Formula 1 season by holding off reigning champion Max Verstappen at the Canadian Grand Prix.

This was Russell's fourth win (Mercedes), who finished the race under yellow after McLaren teammates Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris engaged in a wheel-to-wheel battle that ended with Norris crashing into the wall.

“It’s amazing to be back on top of the podium ,” Russell said. “I felt like last year was a lost victory. To get the win and see (my teammate) Kimi (Antonelli) on the podium as well is an amazing day for the team. I think it shows the strength of our cars in colder conditions, so let’s see in the next few races .”

Russell started from pole for the second consecutive year in Montreal and held the lead for most of the race at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. The British driver became the fourth race winner this year, joining points leader Piastri, Norris, and four-time champion Verstappen.

Verstappen, in second place

Verstappen, with one more race before points are deducted from his license and the possibility of a race ban is eliminated, was satisfied with his second place.

Mercedes rookie Antonelli finished third behind Verstappen, achieving his first F1 podium.

Piastri finished fourth, ending a run of eight consecutive podium finishes that dated back to the second race of the season. McLaren.

Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton finished fifth and sixth.

At the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Ferrari, led by Robert Kubica, Yifei Ye and Philip Hanson, has been crowned champion for the third time in a historic victory.

Pole Robert Kubica, who in 2021 saw his WRT LMP2 team stop on the final lap as he was almost celebrating victory, was able to make amends this Sunday with a success achieved not with a factory car, but with the yellow AF Corse 83, which allowed him to beat both the Porsche 6 and the two factory Ferraris.

▲ The national team completed its participation in the competition, which concluded yesterday in Xi'an. Photo by AFP

From the Editorial Staff

La Jornada Newspaper, Monday, June 16, 2025, p. a10

Diego Villalobos continues to make history with the Mexican artistic swimming team. After becoming the first man to be part of the national team, he won bronze in the World Cup Super Final that concluded yesterday in Xi'an, China.

Regina Alférez, Fernanda Arellano, Miranda Barrera, Itzamary González, Glenda Inzunza, Joana Jiménez, Pamela Toscano, and Villalobos earned 209.2038 points in the acrobatic routine, which was a historic advance for inclusion in this sport.

I felt very good, very confident. The girls gave me a lot of confidence. Things went very well in training, and that was key to getting there safely. I really enjoyed it , said the Guadalajara native.

First place went to China, with a score of 233.0430 points, and the silver medal went to Spain, with a total of 219.2574 points.

With this medal, Mexico concluded its participation with a gold medal, thanks to Diego in the men's individual technical routine, and a bronze in the acrobatic team.

In addition, the national team earned three fourth-place finishes thanks to the team's performances in the free routine, the mixed duet technical routine, and the women's duet technical routine.

Villalobos is part of the restructuring of the team, which lost three of its key members (Nuria Diosdado, Jessica Sobrino, and Samantha Rodríguez) after its participation in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Vilches, third

Mexican national team member Roberto Vilches placed third in the triple jump with a mark of 15.79 meters at the EAP Malta International in Marsa.

The 2018 world junior champion and Pan American bronze medalist in the high jump was beaten by Hungarians Tibor Galambos (15.95), winner of the silver, and Dániel Szenderffy, champion of the competition with 16.18 meters.

Yesterday's competition was Vilches' second time in Europe and is part of her preparations for the World Championships in Tokyo.

The national team is currently ranked 79th in the high jump; the best Mexicans are Érick Portillo (26) and Édgar Rivera (27).

This is the second piece of good news for athletics this weekend, as on Saturday Portillo won the bronze medal at the Mityng na Rynku international competition, held in the city of Bialystok, Poland, with a high jump of 2.20 meters.

González is crowned in Stuttgart

Veracruz-born tennis player Santiago González won another title after winning the ATP 250 in Stuttgart. The Cordoba native and his partner, Austrin Krajicek, defeated Americans Alex Michelsen and Rajeev Ram in straight sets in one hour and 12 minutes of play.

González, 42 years old and ranked 44th in the world, was consistent in his game and ready to put in a strong performance at Wimbledon.

Her next tournament before the London Grand Slam will be the Challenger in Nottingham.

It was the doubles player's second title of the season; his first was the Challenger 150 held in Mexico City.

From the Editorial Staff

La Jornada Newspaper, Monday, June 16, 2025, p. a10

For a few hours, Carlos Ortiz gave Mexican golf a dream. The 34-year-old came close to winning the U.S. Open at Oakmont, but ultimately had to settle for a creditable fourth place.

In the 125th edition of the tournament, the tricolor team had a nearly flawless performance. Ortiz showed solidity from the tee (the small support stuck in the ground on which the golf ball is placed), precision with his irons, and poise with his clubs.

In the end, he finished with a score of 283 strokes (+3) in a tournament that was won in the last round by American JJ Spaun, who closed the tournament with 279 strokes, one under par.

With his result, Ortiz achieved the best Mexican male performance in the tournament, securing his place at the 2026 U.S. Open.

On one of the most demanding courses in the world, Carlos handled the pressure, even though he finished seventh.

The golfer managed to paddle against the current and finish the competition in fourth place, tied with Cameron Young and Tyrrell Hatton.

The Olympic team was one of the few players who adapted to the extreme humidity at Oakmont, where rainy days were experienced and golfers struggled to achieve under par.

The Mexican had never finished in the top 50 in his 10 Major appearances, but on Saturday he entered the fray for the $4.3 million check.

JJ Spaun surprises and wins the tournament

After a rain-related suspension of more than an hour and a close fight for the lead, Spaun became the U.S. Open champion after sinking a 62-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole, the longest of any player in the event at Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pennsylvania.

The final round was the most closely contested. At times, the American led alone, and at others, there was a tie for first place between Spaun, Burns, Adam Scott, Tyrrell Hatton, and Ortiz himself at one over par.

In the end, second place went to Scotland's Robert Macintyre, and third place went to Victor Hovland of Norway.

▲ Photo AFP

La Jornada Newspaper, Monday, June 16, 2025, p. a10

Armand Duplantis, two-time Olympic pole vault champion, set a world record during the Diamond League event in Stockholm. The Swede cleared 6.28 meters on his first attempt. This is the twelfth time the athlete has set a record this year.