Shane van Gisbergen’s impressive performance at Watkins Glen International on Sunday has strengthened his claim as one of NASCAR’s top road course drivers. The Trackhouse Racing driver cruised to victory in what was his fourth road course win in a row and his fourth win of the 2025 season.
His victory at Watkins Glen set a new record for the most wins by a Cup Series driver in their rookie season, and van Gisbergen is now tied with Denny Hamlin for the most wins this year.
Van Gisbergen’s Rapid Ascent in NASCAR
Van Gisbergen’s journey in NASCAR has been nothing short of remarkable. After making history in 2023 as the first driver in NASCAR’s modern era to win in his Cup debut at Chicago, he embraced the challenge of racing full-time in the U.S.
By 2024, he was running a partial schedule, and this season, he’s been on fire, taking the NASCAR road courses by storm. His wins at Mexico City, Chicago, Sonoma, and now Watkins Glen have made him virtually unstoppable in NASCAR’s summer stretch of road course races.
Van Gisbergen’s recent success not only assures him a spot in the playoffs but also places him among the top seeds for the postseason, which begins in Darlington later this month.
His performances have been so impressive that Trackhouse Racing secured him with a new contract, ensuring he will be racing in the U.S. for the next several years.
Reflecting on His Victory and the Road Ahead
“It’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 told NBC Sports after the race.
While he acknowledged that the upcoming playoffs will be challenging, particularly on tracks with difficult left-hand turns, he expressed confidence in his growing skills. “I’m getting better at it and I’m enjoying myself,” he said, adding, “It’s a challenge, but that’s why we’re here, and we’ll have a proper crack.”
Battle for Second and Playoff Implications
While van Gisbergen dominated the race, the battle for second place was intense. Christopher Bell passed Chris Buescher on the final lap to secure second, with Buescher finishing third. William Byron finished fourth, and Chase Briscoe rounded out the top five.
The performance of Buescher, who also won Stage 1, was crucial in the playoff standings, as it marked an 11-point swing in his favor in the fight for the final playoff spot. Buescher’s 34-point lead over his teammate Ryan Preece puts him in a strong position with two races remaining before the playoffs.
Reddick, Bowman, and Others in Playoff Position
Tyler Reddick’s ninth-place finish now places him 117 points above the playoff cut line, putting him in a strong position to clinch a spot based on points. Alex Bowman, finishing in 20th, holds a relatively comfortable 60-point lead over the cut line.
At the top of the standings, William Byron has extended his lead in the regular season championship race to 42 points over Chase Elliott, who finished 26th in the race—his first finish outside the top 20 all season.
Incident with Connor Zilisch
One notable absence from Sunday’s race was Connor Zilisch, whose No. 87 team withdrew after a concerning incident on Saturday. Zilisch, who broke his collarbone in a fall while celebrating a win in the Xfinity Series, returned to the racetrack on Sunday but stated that his timetable to return to racing remains uncertain.
Go Bowling at The Glen Results
The results from Go Bowling at The Glen were as follows:
Shane van Gisbergen (#88 – R)
Christopher Bell (#20)
Chris Buescher (#17)
William Byron (#24)
Chase Briscoe (#19)
Ryan Blaney (#12)
Daniel Suarez (#99)
Bubba Wallace (#23)
Tyler Reddick (#45)
Ross Chastain (#1)
The race results had a significant impact on the playoff picture, with Buescher’s strong finish giving him a critical points advantage over teammate Ryan Preece, who finished 13th.
As the NASCAR playoffs approach, van Gisbergen’s dominance on road courses and his growing road racing legacy in the Cup Series have made him a top contender. With a new contract and a spot in the playoffs, his journey in NASCAR is shaping up to be one for the history books.
