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. 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.
