Daniel Suárez, former Trackhouse Racing teammate of Shane van Gisbergen, has revealed why van Gisbergen has become an exceptional contender on road courses, highlighting his distinct advantage as the NASCAR Cup Series returns to Circuit of the Americas (COTA) this weekend. Van Gisbergen’s road course prowess continues to grow, positioning him as a top challenger at the Austin, Texas track, especially this season.
Van Gisbergen’s Rise as a Dominant Road Course Racer
Since joining the NASCAR Cup Series, Shane van Gisbergen has made significant strides on road and street circuits. After capturing his first win on the Chicago Street Course in 2023, he secured victories at notable venues including Mexico City, Sonoma Raceway, Watkins Glen International, and the Charlotte Roval last year. However, a win at COTA remains elusive with van Gisbergen yet to crack a top-five finish in his two starts there.
Despite this, Suárez emphasized van Gisbergen’s strong potential at COTA, underscoring his unique skill set in handling road course challenges. NASCAR will be using the Goodyear Racing Eagle tire compound at COTA again this season, a tire introduced last year that has influenced race strategy and performance.
“I think SVG is gonna have even a bigger advantage because he’s very very good. That’s his advantage, the way that he’s able to brake with the clutch and taking care of the tires at the same time. So the more fall off that we get on tires, the more that he’s gonna excel.”
?Daniel Suárez, Former Trackhouse Racing Teammate
“I think that before we came to this tire, he was good, but he wasn’t dominant. He was just one more of the good group of guys. I think that the more horsepower is gonna make one more step into, ‘Hey, you have to take care of the tires even more.’ So it’s gonna be (0:46) interesting, it’s gonna be a good challenge,”
?Daniel Suárez, Former Trackhouse Racing Teammate
Van Gisbergen finished sixth at the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix held at COTA last year, improving on his 20th-place result in the prior season despite facing mechanical setbacks throughout the race. This progression reflects his growing mastery of the demanding Austin circuit.
Van Gisbergen’s Preference and Strategy for the New COTA Layout
In 2025, NASCAR shifted from the 3.41-mile Formula One layout to a shorter 2.40-mile configuration at COTA. Van Gisbergen has expressed strong approval of this alteration, believing it enhances racing excitement without sacrificing the course’s competitive elements.
During an episode of “SVG’s Racing School,” the 34-year-old discussed his approach to the revised layout, emphasizing the benefits of the added laps and increased passing opportunities that bring more action closer to spectators.
“I think it was a great change last year. More laps past the fans and then more passing zones. You didn’t really lose anything by not doing the longer circuit,”
?Shane van Gisbergen, NASCAR Cup Series Driver
NASCAR first hosted a Cup Series race at COTA in 2021 using the full 3.41-mile course, but the switch to the shortened national layout in 2025 aims to increase competitiveness and fan engagement through tighter racing and more frequent overtakes.
Looking Ahead: Van Gisbergen’s Growing Influence on Road Courses
As Shane van Gisbergen continues to adapt and excel within NASCAR’s road course events, his combination of driving precision, tire management, and clutch control sets him apart from his peers. With the Circuit of the Americas weekend on the horizon, expectations run high for van Gisbergen to finally capture a first COTA victory. His demonstrated resilience and tactical racing style suggest he could become an even more influential figure in the NASCAR Cup Series road course scene.
Ultimately, van Gisbergen’s progress signals a shift in the competitive landscape of NASCAR road racing, where drivers who master tire conservation and strategic execution may dominate, especially on challenging circuits like COTA.
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