Motorsports Reference

Jan 22, 2025 | motorsports-reference.com | Seth Eggert

By Seth EggertThe dominant win by Shane van Gisbergen at Sonoma Raceway marked a milestone for internationally born drivers in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. The Kaulig Racing driver earned the 200th top-10 finish in Xfinity competition by drivers born outside of the United States. While van Gisbergen was penciled in as the favorite to win entering the Zip Buy Now, Pay Later 250, the level of on-track domination was unexpected.

Jan 22, 2025 | motorsports-reference.com | Seth Eggert

By Seth EggertEarning a top-10 in one’s debut in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is impressive, but for Andres Perez de Lara, it also marked a milestone amongst internationally born drivers in NASCAR competition. At World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway the NASCAR Drive for Diversity (D4D) driver became the 205th driver born outside of the United States to compete in the three National Touring Series.

Jan 22, 2025 | motorsports-reference.com | Seth Eggert

The youth movement promoted in NASCAR through the NASCAR NEXT program has started to reach more milestones with Cole Custer taking the 100th win by an alum in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. The Stewart-Haas Racing driver was in the NASCAR NEXT program in 2014 and 2015. Custer was one of 59 drivers that participated in the driver development program from 2011 through 2018. About half of the drivers featured are still active across the three National Touring Series.

Jan 22, 2025 | motorsports-reference.com | Seth Eggert

While focus at Richmond Raceway was on the controversial win by Austin Dillon and Goodyear’s option tires, a milestone was crossed at the other end of the top-10. Trackhouse Racing’s Daniel Suarez not only earned his fourth career Stage win thanks to the track position gained from the option tire, but he also earned the 200th top-10 finish by an internationally-born driver in the NASCAR Cup Series.

Jan 22, 2025 | motorsports-reference.com | Seth Eggert

Longevity in NASCAR often leads to both on-track success and checking off milestones with each start. When the green flag waved for the Rackley Roofing 200 at Nashville Superspeedway, Stewart Friesen marked both columns as he led the field to green from the pole, making the 1,000th start by an internationally-born driver in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in the process.