The recent race at Watkins Glen once again confirmed Shane van Gisbergen‘s exceptional skill in <a href="https://www.big14news.com/nascar/”>NASCAR road course racing. The Kiwi driver surged ahead of Christopher Bell by more than 11 seconds on the final lap, showcasing his remarkable speed and strategic racecraft that define his road course mastery.
Van Gisbergen’s smooth yet assertive driving style, combined with his ability to manage tires, execute restarts, and make tactical decisions, sets him apart on circuits that demand precision. His victory at Watkins Glen not only solidifies his reputation but also places him alongside legends such as Chase Elliott, Jeff Gordon, and Dan Gurney, as one of the few drivers to capture four consecutive NASCAR Cup wins on road or street courses. This blend of consistent speed, experience, and technique makes him a standout contender whenever road course races take place.
A Closer Look at Van Gisbergen’s Road Course Excellence
Despite being relatively new to NASCAR with only 37 Cup Series starts, Shane van Gisbergen has rapidly built a strong record on road circuits. He currently boasts five road course wins spanning venues including Chicago, Mexico City, Sonoma Raceway, and most recently, Watkins Glen. His previous racing success includes 80 wins and three championships in the Australian and New Zealand Supercars series, experience that has clearly translated into NASCAR success.
Van Gisbergen is steadily approaching the all-time record of nine NASCAR road course victories held by Jeff Gordon, highlighting his potential to become the sport’s greatest road racer. Only a few drivers have more wins on road circuits, including Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Chase Elliott, and others like Rusty Wallace, Kyle Larson, Ricky Rudd, and Bobby Allison.
Approaching a Historic Milestone with Consecutive Road Course Wins
Jeff Gordon’s record of six consecutive road course victories, set between 1997 and 2000, remains a tough benchmark. However, van Gisbergen’s current streak—wins at Mexico City, Chicago, Sonoma, and Watkins Glen—already demonstrates his ability to dominate multiple events consecutively. His large winning margins and leadership in road course playoff points confirm his exceptional standing among NASCAR’s elite specialists.
Van Gisbergen’s commanding speed was illustrated during the Watkins Glen race, where he finished the final lap 1.7 seconds faster than Christopher Bell, with William Byron recording the second fastest lap, showing the depth of competition.
“SVG was 1.7 seconds faster than CBell on the last lap Byron was second fastest.”
— BrakeHard
William Byron’s performance at Watkins Glen, securing fourth place and posting strong lap times, alongside Chris Buescher’s third-place finish, highlighted the intense competition among top drivers on the road course circuit.
As Shane van Gisbergen continues this impressive run, his mastery of road courses not only elevates his career but also raises the excitement level for upcoming races. His ability to combine racecraft, speed, and tactical acumen positions him as a formidable challenge to longtime road course veterans.
