Shane van Gisbergen’s NASCAR road course dominance was on full display at the Sonoma race, where he secured his third Cup Series win of 2025 for Trackhouse Racing, leaving Joe Gibbs Racing’s Chase Briscoe and the competition struggling to keep up. The event not only showcased van Gisbergen’s exceptional racing skill but also prompted Briscoe to liken his mastery to that of Michael Jordan in his prime, highlighting the Kiwi driver’s unmatched performance on Sunday.
Shane van Gisbergen’s Commanding Sonoma Victory
Trackhouse Racing’s owner, Justin Marks, celebrated another win as his faith in Shane van Gisbergen paid off handsomely with the Kiwi’s third victory this season. Starting from pole position at the toyota/”>Toyota/Save Mart 350, van Gisbergen dominated the event, controlling nearly every lap and distancing himself from the rest of the field. Despite some determined efforts, the competition found it challenging to truly contend with the No.88 Chevy throughout the race.
Chase Briscoe in the No.19 Camry emerged as the closest rival, particularly during the final restart, but could not overhaul van Gisbergen’s commanding lead. Briscoe’s aggressive approach fell short against the racecraft of the Supercars champion, whose precision on the road course left no room for error or opportunity for his competitors.
Chase Briscoe Draws an Iconic Parallel
Reflecting on van Gisbergen’s overwhelming performance, Briscoe expressed awe in his post-race interview, comparing the Kiwi driver’s skill on road courses to that of Michael Jordan at the peak of his basketball career. Van Gisbergen’s victory was especially notable as he outperformed three drivers from 23XI Racing—Tyler Reddick, Bubba Wallace, and Riley Herbst—teams linked to Jordan himself, adding a layer of irony to the day’s results.
“Yeah, I mean, for sure, the, really the only opportunity I had was on the restarts. I obviously never played basketball against Michael Jordan in his prime, but I feel like that’s what it was probably like.
—Chase Briscoe, via 5 GOATS
Briscoe went on to admit that while he pushed hard in the closing stages, particularly during the crucial restart, van Gisbergen’s ability to respond and regain control was unmatched. Even if Briscoe had managed a pass, he believed van Gisbergen would have simply retaken the lead before the lap was done. This speaks volumes about the level the championship-winning driver has brought to NASCAR’s road course events.
“Yeah, that guy’s just unbelievable on road courses. Just so good. He’s really raised the bar of this entire series. Yeah, proud of the effort. I thought there was one restart I was maybe gonna get clear of him, but I mean, truthfully, he was probably gonna pass me back by the end of the lap.
—Chase Briscoe
Setting New Standards for the Competition
According to Briscoe, van Gisbergen’s arrival and ambition have elevated the expectations for the whole Cup grid, particularly on road courses. The JGR Toyota driver acknowledged that there is now a clear gap in skill at these venues, and that much can be learned from watching van Gisbergen’s approach and execution.
As Briscoe explained, any time he managed to close the gap and catch up to the No.88 Chevy, van Gisbergen would simply respond, finding extra speed and pulling away again. This relentless pace, particularly at what Briscoe described as his own most challenging track, underscored just how high the standard has become for those aiming to compete at the front in these races.
“But yeah, proud of the effort. We were, you know, second-place car all day and obviously ended up second with it. So, yeah, just, man, I honestly don’t know what more I need.
—Chase Briscoe
Briscoe was candid about the frustration that came with such an unmatched opponent, noting the feeling of making progress only for van Gisbergen to increase his pace. Despite this, he took pride in his own performance, finding positivity in securing a podium result at a track where he traditionally struggles.
“I feel like my car is extremely good and I feel like every time I would kind of run down Shane, he would just pick up the pace himself and start driving back away. So, yeah, it was frustrating at times, but I was honestly happy with the effort. This is by far my worst race track. So, kind of surprised myself, truthfully.
—Chase Briscoe
What This Means for the NASCAR Road Course Landscape
Briscoe’s reflections highlight how van Gisbergen’s dominance is forcing competitors to reevaluate their approach, especially on road courses. Van Gisbergen’s performance has become a benchmark, compelling other teams and drivers to find new strategies and improve their skills. This trend could result in even fiercer battles on road circuits in upcoming Cup Series events.
Meanwhile, Ty Gibbs, another notable Joe Gibbs Racing driver, missed an opportunity in Sonoma to challenge van Gisbergen directly, despite having a competitive car. In recent weeks, Gibbs has been one of the few to keep pace with the Kiwi, underscoring the growing competitive pressure SVG’s success exerts across the grid.
Shane van Gisbergen’s influence, described through Briscoe’s perspective and mirrored by his results, has significantly shaped the narrative of this Cup Series season, particularly at venues where technical skill and resilience define the outcome. As road courses play an increasingly important role in the championship, the gap between SVG and his competition sets an example that others will be striving desperately to close as the season continues.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What happened to Shane van Gisbergen, Adelaide?
A. Sadly, Van Gisbergen’s last races didn’t go as hoped for. On Saturday, he hit Will Brown’s damaged car at Turn 4 during the first lap. Then, on Sunday, he faced brake problems that prevented him from finishing the race.
Q. Is Shane van Gisbergen still with Jessica Dane?
A. Shane van Gisbergen is dating Jessica Dane. They revealed their relationship to the public in 2022, but they started dating before that. Jessica is the daughter of Roland Dane, who founded Triple Eight Race Engineering and is a well-known figure in Australian motorsport.
Q. Is Shane van Gisbergen an American citizen?
A. Shane Robert van Gisbergen, born on May 9, 1989, is a professional racecar driver from New Zealand. He is often referred to by his initials, SVG.
