Van Gisbergen gets sweet redemption win
After falling short in a last-lap thriller last year, Shane van Gisbergen is finally a NASCAR Cup Series winner at Watkins Glen after another dominant drive.
Van Gisbergen was again simply too good, cruising to an 11s triumph over Christopher Bell, who passed Chris Buescher on the final lap.
But the race was all about the Trackhouse Kiwi as he smashed the field again.
After fighting with poleman Ryan Blaney for the lead across the early stages, strategy saw van Gisbergen finish Stage 2 22nd.
But everything went to plan as the Kiwi needed nine laps to hunt down Blaney and he was never headed.
His fifth Cup Series win is his fourth in a row on road courses and puts him into uncharted territory as a rookie.
SVG now continues to follow in the footsteps of Marcos Ambrose, who won twice at the venue, while another Supercars export, Leigh Diffey called a van Gisbergen win for the first time.
But the biggest source of motivation for van Gisbergen was redemption, getting the win he lost on the last lap in 2024 when he struck the wall at the Bus Stop, but this time, there were no concerns as he cruised to victory.
“Good to get that one back,” van Gisbergen said in Victory Lane.
“What an awesome race, I had a lot of fun. The car was just amazing again.
“This is the stuff you dream about and I am a lucky guy to drive with a great bunch of people.
“The day went flawlessly (but) I definitely gave that Bus Stop wall an extra metre on the final lap.”
Adding to the emotions, van Gisbergen got to celebrate with his father Robert.
“It is amazing to have him here and share it with him his very special,” Shane said.
“He has had a tough couple of years, so to have him here for the next three weeks is amazing.”
When the green flag dropped, Blaney managed to defend the lead from pole despite van Gisbergen hounding him across the opening corners with Chase Briscoe, Ross Chastain, and Michael McDowell completing the remainder of the top five.
Kyle Larson is regarded as one of the few drivers who could put up a straight fight to van Gisbergen on a road course, but his hopes were dashed as early as Lap 6.
Sitting 24th, the Hendrick Motorsports star spun from 24th having reported brake issues and he entered the pits for assistance, losing 15 laps.
Blaney had kept SVG at bay across the first 17 laps before the pir both dived to the lane at the same time.
Team Penske ensured the #12 retained track position, while Chris Buescher stayed out to win a clean opening stage.
Buescher, Ryan Preece, and Chase Elliott stayed out during the mandatory caution, which meant they headed the field at the start of the second stage.
But van Gisbergen was no mood to wait around and having already leapfrogged Blaney, snared the lead for the first time with ease from Preece at the penultimate turn on fresher tyres.
Just three laps were possible before the first caution arrived after contact sent Josh Berry turning into the Turn 5 guardrail.
Van Gisbergen retained the lead at the restart and controlled the field until Lap 38 when the strategy games started.
Like the opening stage, Trackhouse opted to box SVG before the finish on Lap 38 among several others.
However, Penske rolled the dice, keeping Blaney out as he took the stage win ahead of Byron and Bell.
The stage ended under caution after John Hunter Nemecheck was sent into the outside wall after assistance from Ty Gibbs at Turn 5.
When racing resumed, Blaney led Byron with van Gisbergen deep in the pack and just behind him two veterans tangled.
Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin were banging doors through the final corner with the #8 spinning 90 degrees before being straightened up by his former teammate.
Six laps later two current teammates clashed with Michael McDowell spinning Carson Hocevar at the opening corner.
But critically for SVG, the track stayed green, which allowed him to use his fresher tyres to regain the deficit back to Blaney
He needed nine laps to catch the 2023 champion and on fresher tyres flew past him at the penultimate corner.
The Penske driver did not offer much of a fight as the #88 blazed 2s down the road in as many laps.
With the Kiwi also enjoying a strategy advantage, Blaney dove into the lane on Lap 57.
Van Gisbergen had a 20s lead when he pitted and with less fuel required, rejoined as he clear leader, 2s ahead of Byron and Blaney, who had also completed their stops.
Chastain and Busch had a wild side-by-side moment in the Bus Stop, but the track stayed green after the #8 toured the grass.
Nemecheck even lost it going through the fast and sweeping Esses, but somehow saved himself from striking the barriers after getting sideways.
As the cycle of stops rounded up, van Gisbergen managed his tyres well as he returned to the lead with 16 to go and 2s up his sleeve.
Buescher emerged as SVG’s nearest rival after he flew past Byron.
Despite the RFK #17 racer showing speed, van Gisbergen just calmly stepped things up and increased his lead from 2s to 6s inside the next laps ahead of the run home.
The difference only grew as Bell reeled in Buescher to set up a battle for second.
The move was made on the final lap with Bell stealing second from Buescher at the Inner Loop.
Unlike previous years there were no late cautions with only Brad Keselowski suffering late drama.
When running 14th, he lost significant ground after suffering a flat left rear just six laps from home.
But critically, there were no cautions, allowing van Gisbergen to cruise to another victory.
Short track racing is next with the Cook Out 400 at Richmond on the horizon.
Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images
Read the new issue of Auto Action Digital HERE
Buy the new issue of Auto Action Premium HERE
Don’t forget the print edition of Auto Action available via subscription here or you can purchase a copy of the latest issue from one of our outlets here.
