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Shane van Gisbergen’s triumphant third victory at the 2025 Chicago Street Course etched his name into the annals of NASCAR Cup Series history, marking him as the most successful foreign-born driver in the sport’s premier division. This achievement underscores a burgeoning trend of international talent making a significant impact on a circuit historically dominated by American competitors. For decades, NASCAR’s landscape was predominantly U.S.-centric, with points-paying Cup races rarely venturing beyond national borders, the last instance prior to 2025 being in 1958. The sport’s recent expansion, including its foray into Mexico City in 2025, signifies a deliberate effort to broaden its global reach and appeal.
The path paved by these international drivers has not been without its trailblazers. Daniel Suárez, a Mexican national who secured the 2016 NASCAR Xfinity Series championship, stands as a singular figure, not only as the only foreign-born driver to claim a national-level title but also as the sole non-American to conquer a Cup Series crown jewel event, achieving this feat in the 67th running of the Coca-Cola 600. His success is emblematic of the growing presence and capability of international drivers within the sport.
NASCAR’s evolution towards a more globalized platform is evident in its recent calendars and the diversity of its on-track participants. A prime example of this shift was the 2022 Cup Series race at Watkins Glen, which featured competitors from seven different countries, setting a new series record for international representation in a single event. This growing diversity is reflected in the record books; of the 11 NASCAR Cup races won by drivers born outside the United States, a remarkable five have occurred within the last five years, highlighting a concentrated period of international success. Across all three major NASCAR national divisions, drivers hailing from seven distinct nations have collectively secured 47 victories, with Canadian drivers leading the charge in this metric, accumulating 13 wins.
Leading this distinguished group is Shane van Gisbergen, hailing from Auckland, New Zealand. Van Gisbergen has amassed a total of 12 wins across NASCAR’s national series, with 7 victories in the Cup Series and 5 in the Xfinity Series (formerly O’Reilly Auto Parts Series). His NASCAR debut in 2023 at the inaugural Chicago Street Course race was nothing short of spectacular, resulting in an immediate victory for Trackhouse Racing. Since then, he has transitioned from a celebrated career in Australian Supercars, where he was a three-time champion, to pursue a full-time NASCAR career. His rookie campaign in 2025 was historically dominant, securing five consecutive wins on road and street courses, narrowly missing a sixth at Circuit of the Americas (COTA). His winning momentum continued into 2026, with victories at COTA in the Xfinity Series and a repeat triumph at Watkins Glen in the Cup Series. He also made a notable attempt to emulate Suárez’s feat of winning across all three national divisions, achieving a third-place finish at Watkins Glen in the Truck Series in 2026.
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Following closely is Daniel Suárez, from Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico. Suárez boasts a total of 8 wins across NASCAR’s national divisions: 3 in the Cup Series, 4 in the Xfinity Series, and 1 in the Truck Series. He became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2024, but his foreign-born status remains a key aspect of his racing identity. His career in NASCAR is marked by significant milestones, including being the only foreign-born driver to win in all three national series and, more impressively, the only one to clinch a championship. Driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, he secured the 2016 NASCAR Xfinity Series title, outdueling veteran Elliott Sadler. In the Cup Series, he has made the playoffs twice and achieved a career-best tenth in the championship standings. Suárez’s versatility is underscored by his ability to win on both road courses and ovals in the Cup Series, a distinction not shared by any other foreign-born winner. His victory in the 2026 Coca-Cola 600 marked a historic moment, making him the first driver born outside the U.S. to win one of NASCAR’s crown jewel races.
From Launceston, Tasmania, Australia, Marcos Ambrose has achieved 7 wins in NASCAR, with 2 in the Cup Series and 5 in the Xfinity Series. A two-time champion in Australian Supercars, Ambrose brought his considerable talent to American stock car racing. While his highest Cup Series championship finish was 18th, he became renowned for his prowess on road courses, particularly at Watkins Glen. He achieved a remarkable streak of three consecutive Xfinity wins at Watkins Glen, and both of his Cup Series victories were also secured at this iconic road course. Although he came close to securing wins on oval tracks, his specialization in road racing defined his NASCAR tenure. Ambrose holds the record for the most Xfinity Series wins by a foreign-born driver, though Suárez and van Gisbergen are rapidly closing in on this mark.
Ron Fellows, hailing from Windsor, Ontario, Canada, has recorded 6 wins in NASCAR, all within the Xfinity and Truck Series (4 in Xfinity, 2 in Trucks). A highly respected sports car racer and a frequent "road course ringer" in NASCAR, Fellows was known for his ability to challenge the series’ best on road circuits. While he achieved a runner-up finish in the Cup Series, his significant success came in the lower divisions, with three Xfinity wins at Watkins Glen and two Truck Series victories. His final NASCAR win came in the Xfinity Series at Montreal in 2008.
Stewart Friesen, a dual citizen of the United States and Canada, born in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada, has secured 4 wins, all in the NASCAR Truck Series. A prominent figure in the dirt racing circuit, Friesen has competed in over 200 Truck Series races, reaching the Championship 4 on one occasion. Between 2019 and 2025, he secured his four victories, establishing himself as the winningest foreign-born driver in the history of the Truck Series.
Juan Pablo Montoya, born in Bogotá, Colombia, has achieved 3 wins in NASCAR, with 2 in the Cup Series and 1 in the Xfinity Series. A highly accomplished international racer with victories in the Indianapolis 500, Formula 1, and IMSA, Montoya demonstrated his adaptability in NASCAR. His first Cup Series win came at Sonoma in 2007, earning him Rookie of the Year honors. He added a second Cup victory at Watkins Glen in 2010. Montoya also came close to winning the prestigious Brickyard 400 on multiple occasions and achieved a career-best eighth-place finish in the NASCAR Cup Series championship standings, a mark tied for the highest ever by a non-American driver.
Nelson Piquet Jr., originally from Brazil but born in Heidelberg, West Germany, has secured 3 wins, with 1 in the Xfinity Series and 2 in the Truck Series. The son of a Formula 1 World Champion and an F1 driver himself, Piquet achieved success on both ovals and road courses in NASCAR. He finished seventh in the 2012 NASCAR Truck Series championship standings after winning two oval races, and in the same year, he also secured an Xfinity Series win at Road America. Piquet’s NASCAR career was relatively brief, concluding his final start at the age of 30.
The legendary Mario Andretti, born in Montona, Istria (now part of Croatia) but largely considered an American racing icon, has 1 Cup Series win. Andretti’s illustrious career spans victories in the Indianapolis 500 and the Formula 1 World Championship. In NASCAR, his singular victory came in the 1967 Daytona 500, one of the sport’s most prestigious races. He led for a significant portion of the event, ultimately defeating teammate Fred Lorenzen.
Earl Ross, a Canadian driver from Fortune, Prince Edward Island, achieved 1 Cup Series victory. His win came at Martinsville Speedway in 1974, driving for the renowned Junior Johnson. Ross dominated that race, beating Buddy Baker by over a lap. He concluded the 1974 season eighth in the championship standings, a feat matched by Montoya for the best points finish by a non-American driver in Cup Series history, and he also earned Rookie of the Year honors that season.
Larry Pollard, from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, has 1 Xfinity Series win. Pollard also had a notable career as a crew chief for prominent drivers. As a driver, he finished in the top ten in the Xfinity Series standings twice, with his sole victory occurring in the 1987 season at the Langley short track. He holds the distinction of being the first foreign-born driver to win an Xfinity Series race.
Finally, Raphaël Lessard, from Saint-Joseph-de-Beauce, Quebec, Canada, secured 1 win in the NASCAR Truck Series. While competing full-time in 2020, Lessard, then a teenager, claimed his maiden victory by leading only the final lap at Talladega Superspeedway. He engaged in a close side-by-side battle with Trevor Bayne through the final corners, narrowly holding the lead when a race-ending caution flew.
The increasing presence and success of these international drivers underscore NASCAR’s expanding global footprint and its commitment to fostering a more diverse and competitive racing environment. As the sport continues to evolve, the contributions of these athletes from around the world are shaping its present and future.
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