Shane van Gisbergen’s Road Course Excellence
Shane van Gisbergen’s exceptional skills on road and street circuits are undeniable. The NASCAR community has now seen what happens when a three-time Supercars champion, at the peak of his performance, steps into a stock car.
2023 Debut Victory
In 2023, SVG made an impressive debut, winning at the Chicago Street Course, a feat that hadn’t occurred in over 60 years. Following his full-time commitment to Trackhouse in 2025, he proved nearly unbeatable on road and street tracks. He secured victories from pole positions in Mexico City, Chicago, and Sonoma, while also winning at Watkins Glen and the Charlotte Roval, leading 278 out of 484 laps in those five races, totaling 57% of the laps.
Performance at Circuit of the Americas
At the Circuit of the Americas, SVG faced challenges. This was his second Cup start at the Hermann Tilke-designed F1 circuit, and his first with Trackhouse. In 2024, he placed 20th at COTA while driving for Kaulig in a part-time role. His 2025 race, fully integrated into the Trackhouse program, saw him start sixth and lead 23 laps, ultimately finishing in the same position he started. Interestingly, this track has been tricky for him in the NASCAR O’Reilly Series as well.
Upcoming 2026 Season
Looking ahead to 2026, SVG appears poised to continue his remarkable win streak on road courses. He plans to compete in both the O’Reilly and Cup races, armed with a full season of Cup experience. Recently, he achieved his best oval finish, placing sixth at Atlanta, which could give him a competitive edge for qualifying at COTA as NASCAR adjusts the layout to a shorter version of the course.
Potential Challengers for SVG at COTA
Identifying potential competitors, past winners in the Next Gen era include Christopher Bell (2025), William Byron (2024), Tyler Reddick (2023), and Ross Chastain (2022). Reddick stands out as a major threat, having recently won both the Daytona 500 and Atlanta Cup races and aiming for a hat trick to start the 2026 season. His impressive average finish at COTA is 4.6, bolstered by significant achievements.
Defending Champion and Rising Stars
Christopher Bell, the defending winner, is also underperforming, currently ranking 31st after recent setbacks but could bounce back at COTA, a track where he has consistently finished in the top three. Additionally, teammate Connor Zilisch is a newcomer to watch; having excelled in the O’Reilly Series, he has shown promise despite the steep learning curve the Cup Series presents.
