Shane van Gisbergen Dominates at Watkins Glen
In another impressive performance that has sparked debates on his potential to be NASCAR’s greatest road racer, Shane van Gisbergen claimed victory at Watkins Glen International. This marks his fourth consecutive win on road courses and his overall fourth win of the season. The former V8 Supercars champion has set a new record for most wins by a rookie in any Cup driver’s inaugural season and is now tied with Denny Hamlin for the most wins this year.
A Remarkable Rookie Journey
Van Gisbergen made history when he became the first driver in NASCAR’s modern era to win in his Cup debut during what was supposed to be a one-time appearance at Chicago in 2023. Embracing the challenge of full-time competition, he moved from New Zealand to the U.S. to participate in a partial Cup schedule in 2024, before committing to a full season this year. Despite facing setbacks, including a tough loss at Watkins Glen last year due to a last-lap pass, he has shown remarkable prowess in road course races, securing victories at Mexico City, Chicago, Sonoma, and now Watkins Glen.
Setting Up for the Playoffs
With his recent achievements, van Gisbergen not only secures a spot in the upcoming playoffs but is also positioned as one of the top contenders when the playoffs commence at Darlington later this month. Furthermore, he has signed a new contract with Trackhouse Racing, ensuring his presence in the U.S. racing scene for years to come and allowing him to expand his reputation in NASCAR’s road racing arena.
Van Gisbergen’s Thoughts on the Challenge Ahead
“That’s the stuff you dream about, right? I’m just a very lucky guy to get to drive for an amazing bunch of people and just execute,” van Gisbergen mentioned to NBC Sports. He acknowledged the difficult tracks in the first round of the playoffs, stating, “It ain’t gonna be easy, that’s for sure. I’m getting better at it and I’m enjoying myself. It’s a challenge, but that’s why we’re here.”
Race Highlights and Other Competitors
Finishing 11 seconds behind van Gisbergen was Christopher Bell, who overtook Chris Buescher on the final lap to secure second place. Buescher took third, followed by William Byron in fourth and Chase Briscoe in fifth. Rounding out the top ten were Ryan Blaney, Daniel Suarez, Bubba Wallace, Tyler Reddick, and Ross Chastain.
Playoff Implications and Standings
Buescher’s third-place finish and his win in stage one resulted in an 11-point advantage in the race for the final playoff position, increasing his lead over teammate Ryan Preece to 34 points as Preece finished 13th. Reddick, with his ninth-place finish, is now 117 points above the playoff cut line, while Alex Bowman, who finished 20th, holds a 60-point cushion over the cut line. Byron has extended his lead in the regular season championship to 42 points over Chase Elliott.
Injury Update on Connor Zilisch
Notably absent from the race was Connor Zilisch, whose team withdrew after he suffered a broken collarbone from a fall while celebrating a win in the Xfinity Series. Although Zilisch was present at the racetrack on Sunday, he stated that his timeline for returning to racing remains uncertain.
