Shane van Gisbergen claimed his fourth NASCAR Cup Series win of the 2025 season at Watkins Glen on Sunday, further establishing his dominance on road courses. The Kiwi driver’s continued excellence this year highlights why he is quickly becoming a standout rookie in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Since his impressive debut victory at Chicago in 2023, van Gisbergen has set a new standard for road course racing in NASCAR. This year alone, he has won four out of five road course events he has entered, a feat that has never been accomplished by a rookie in the history of the series.
Extensive Supercars Experience Fuels Van Gisbergen’s NASCAR Success
Van Gisbergen’s remarkable performances on road courses are built upon his strong foundation in the Australian Supercars Championship, where he secured three titles driving for GM-affiliated Triple Eight Race Engineering. This experience has given him a clear edge on complex tracks that require precision and strategic skill.
While many established NASCAR drivers are working hard to narrow the gap, van Gisbergen’s latest dominant victory illustrated that he still holds a significant advantage. The 36-year-old crossed the finish line with an 11-second lead, underscoring his superior pace and control during the race.
Full-Time Commitment With Team Drives Continuous Improvement
When asked about the progress of his competitors, van Gisbergen focused on his own development during his first full season in the Cup Series after a part-time campaign in 2024. He emphasized how being fully integrated with the team has allowed him to fine-tune the car to fit his driving style better than ever before.
“I just think they’re good anyway. I think the difference has been that I’m with the team full time this year and I’ve been able to develop a setup and fine tune it to the way I want,”
van Gisbergen said.
“Last year I kind of just jumped in and got the Trackhouse car delivered to Kaulig and then the Kaulig guys would run it, whereas this year I’m all involved in the setup, trying to learn every week, and I really feel like as a team we’ve been able to tailor the car to my needs.”
He further explained the team’s growing confidence and clarity, adding,
“We have gotten better rather than anything else.. We turn up to the track, we know what our tools are, our tuning tools. I know what I want the car to feel like.”
Like this Monday was a really intense meeting trying to improve on what we had last year, and got here yesterday and the car felt night and day different. I think it’s just us as a team getting better.
—Shane van Gisbergen, NASCAR Driver
Emotional Victory Shared with Family Amid Personal Challenges
Van Gisbergen’s win at Watkins Glen held special meaning as his father, Robert, was present to celebrate with him in victory lane. The driver shared that his father had faced a deeply difficult time, which had prevented him from supporting Shane in the United States earlier this season.
Reflecting on his father’s struggles, van Gisbergen revealed the personal losses his family has endured recently.
“It’s been pretty difficult. He lost his wife, my mother, and then his sister and then his mom a month or so ago. It’s been a really rough run for Dad,”
he said.
He expressed how the distance has made it tough to provide support from afar, stating,
“It’s hard to support him when I’m on the other side of the world. That’s probably why I’m the most homesick.”
He also noted how his sister’s relocation has left his father somewhat isolated, which makes their daily communication even more important.
To have him here, and like he was almost in tears, too. It’s really special to share that, because we’re a long way from home.
—Shane van Gisbergen, NASCAR Driver
The Broader Impact of Van Gisbergen’s Rookie Record
By becoming the first rookie in NASCAR Cup Series history to secure four wins, van Gisbergen is reshaping expectations for newcomers and highlighting the value of road course expertise. His Australian Supercars background proves instrumental in his swift mastery of these challenging tracks, setting a powerful example for both fans and competitors.
As the 2025 season progresses, his continued performances are likely to inspire rival drivers and teams to intensify their efforts to compete on road courses. Van Gisbergen’s improvements alongside his team signal that he will remain a formidable contender throughout the year, keeping the NASCAR landscape dynamic and fiercely competitive.
