Shane van Gisbergen Chicago race strategy came into sharp focus at the 2025 Grant Park 165, where a decisive move by his crew chief, Stephen Doran, handed him a greater advantage than anticipated and secured his victory at the Chicago Street Course. On a track well-known for its unpredictability, van Gisbergen’s team opted for a split-plan approach that gave him a powerful edge when it mattered most, thanks to a perfectly timed pit stop and shrewd tire management.
Doran revealed his process during a SiriusXM NASCAR Radio segment, sharing how a two-plan outline allowed their team to react dynamically as events unfolded on the streets of Chicago. Initially, the preferred choice was a simple one-stop race. Yet, as the early laps developed, Stephen Doran noticed several drivers choosing to pit early on, prompting a shift to a secondary plan that would keep van Gisbergen in contention even if the field’s pit strategies diverged sharply.
The pivotal moment came when van Gisbergen’s crew decided to pit a lap after the majority during Stage 1—except for car No. 71, which stayed out even longer. This calculated move ensured van Gisbergen restarted near the top ten when Stage 2 began, overcoming one of the key hurdles on a street circuit notorious for track position battles. Additional tire life and a favorable fuel window set the driver up for a surge through the field as grip became scarce for many competitors.
“We shorted stage 1 and there was a fairly big tire advantage, bigger than I thought it would be. Chicago because it’s been rain, track drying like we’ve never had a full dry race to see how much of an advantage new tires are,” Doran said.
The full extent of the strategy’s impact emerged in Stage 2, when the rising tire advantage allowed van Gisbergen to climb from 12th, following a stage-end stop, and steadily gain ground on his rivals. The unpredictable Chicago weather and lack of recent experience with a fully dry surface amplified the effect, as teams struggled to estimate just how powerful fresh tires could be on this surface configuration. Stephen Doran’s caution and skill in observing the other teams’ calls tipped the balance, even beyond his expectations, and delivered a commanding position for his driver as the final laps approached.
“And yet it played out good.”
In the critical final stage, Shane van Gisbergen overtook Chase Briscoe with 16 laps left and led the remaining distance, holding off Ty Gibbs and Tyler Reddick after a last restart with nine laps to go. This effort earned van Gisbergen his second Cup Series victory of the season and, crucially, his second win on the streets of Chicago—making him the first repeat winner at the venue. chevrolet/”>Chevrolet collected its eighth triumph in the 2025 season thanks to this combination of courage and calculation.
Shane van Gisbergen Urges Enhanced Safety Measures Following Chicago Crash
The post–race atmosphere was shaped not only by van Gisbergen’s strategic win but also by serious concerns over track safety, prompted by a harrowing crash involving Cody Ware. While the excitement of victory surrounded Grant Park, van Gisbergen turned attention toward improvements in safety protocols, questioning NASCAR’s handling of emergency responses after a severe wreck on Turn 6.
Cody Ware’s car, suffering a brake rotor failure, violently struck a tire barrier at over 90 mph. The severity of the incident was immediately apparent to those watching, but race officials waited over half a minute to display the caution flag—a delay that left many within the sport unsettled. This hesitation meant the race did not enter overtime and raised questions over how such situations are monitored on street circuits. Shane van Gisbergen offered frank commentary to NASCAR reporter Claire B. Lang, pinpointing missed opportunities for early intervention.
“I don’t think they saw the severity of the crash, or thought he could drive out,” van Gisbergen said.—Shane van Gisbergen, NASCAR Driver
Drawing on his background in Supercars, van Gisbergen compared NASCAR’s approach to that of other series, particularly the use of in-car G-sensors that automatically alert race control when a collision exceeds a certain force threshold. He referenced how these systems in Supercars can improve both the speed and decisiveness of medical and safety responses, suggesting that NASCAR could benefit from similar technology.
“I’m pretty sure in V8 supercars, when I left, the cars had like a G-sensor, or if you had a crash that was big enough, it would trigger that G-sensor to, you know, medical and probably race control.”—Shane van Gisbergen, NASCAR Driver
The incident, especially as seen in fan videos circulating online, left van Gisbergen unsettled and underscored his belief that immediate reaction is crucial in potentially life-threatening situations. He acknowledged NASCAR’s ongoing efforts to modernize safety, while at the same time urging further steps to ensure crashes like Ware’s trigger instant oversight and care.
“If the crash is big enough, you need someone to… obviously looking at that fan version of the car passing by, it’s sickening to watch that,” he added. “So yeah, I guess there needs to be something to be improved, but I feel like NASCAR in general is fast moving with that stuff, so I’m sure it’ll be better.”—Shane van Gisbergen, NASCAR Driver
Following the controversy, NASCAR officials confirmed that their on-site teams lacked immediate visual access to the impact, attributing the caution delay to a gap in live feeds from the trouble spot. They acknowledged that had they seen the crash as it unfolded, the warning would have come much sooner, illustrating the need for new solutions that go beyond traditional surveillance methods.
Implications for Race Strategy and Safety Innovation in NASCAR
Shane van Gisbergen’s Chicago victory stands as an example of how calculated risk and adaptability can determine the outcome in top-level motorsports, while simultaneously showing that evolving strategies must be matched by continuous innovation in safety. With Chevrolet’s strong showing and van Gisbergen’s unique achievement as a repeat winner at Chicago, teams and drivers alike are reminded that the sport’s uncertainties demand both tactical ingenuity and ongoing attention to protecting its participants. As NASCAR officials review their protocols after Cody Ware’s crash, the pressure is on for the series to lead not only in competition, but in setting new standards for real-time incident response and driver safety in complex race environments.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did Shane van Gisbergen quit?
A. Shane van Gisbergen believes he made the “right choice” by departing from Supercars to explore a career in NASCAR. This year, he starts his first full season in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, a step down from the top series, with Kaulig Racing after 15 years in Supercars.
Q. How much did Shane van Gisbergen win in NASCAR?
A. Stewart-Haas Racing is shutting down after 16 years. Stewart mentioned that it is hard to find sponsors for a four-car team. His departure happens when there is tension between NASCAR and its teams about the sport’s future.
