Shane van Gisbergen Watkins Glen victory marked a standout moment in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series, as the New Zealand driver delivered a masterful performance and an emotional celebration alongside his father, who traveled 8,000 miles from Auckland for the occasion. Van Gisbergen took the checkered flag after leading more than half the race, while reflecting on the personal significance of the win and the challenges overcome this year.
Road Course Mastery on Display
Starting from second position, edged off pole by Ryan Blaney by only a fraction of a second, Shane van Gisbergen demonstrated both skill and strategy during the event. Unlike his previous victories from pole this season, he had to maneuver his Trackhouse Racing car forward after a later pit stop left him 12th as the race reached its final stage. Carefully working his way through the pack, van Gisbergen recaptured the lead, with William Byron following closely before he faded in the final laps. Ultimately, van Gisbergen claimed victory with an impressive 11.1-second advantage over Christopher Bell, leaving Chris Buescher in third place and Byron out of contention for a podium spot.
Reflecting on the challenging battle through the field, van Gisbergen shared his excitement and gratitude for his team after the race:
“The battle coming back through, I had a lot of fun and thank you to WeatherTech Trackhouse. Car was just amazing again and to get another win,”
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver.
A Special Family Reunion Amid Success
The Watkins Glen win became even more meaningful due to the presence of van Gisbergen’s father, Robert, who made the long journey from New Zealand. For the first time since Christmas, father and son reunited at the circuit, capping a difficult year for the family. The broadcast highlighted the poignant moment as father and son celebrated together:
“Coming in, but maybe the most important hug of all is coming up right after Steven Doran—his dad Robert,”
—Broadcast Team.
Van Gisbergen opened up emotionally about what it meant to share this victory, stating,
“It’s been a very tough, tough year for dad… so having him here for the next three weeks and share this with him, it’s amazing,”
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver. The win helped van Gisbergen erase the painful memories of narrowly missing out at Watkins Glen in 2024, where Buescher claimed victory. This season, however, Buescher had no opportunity to mount a challenge, leaving van Gisbergen to seize a decisive triumph.
Extending a Reign Over NASCAR Road Courses
With four Cup Series victories this season, each on a road circuit—Mexico City, Chicago Street Course, Sonoma, and now Watkins Glen—van Gisbergen has cemented his reputation as a dominant force whenever left and right turns are on the schedule. His blend of raw speed and tactical patience has set him apart from rivals and made him a driver to watch on any non-oval.
When questioned about his remarkable recent run and contract extension with Trackhouse, van Gisbergen responded with humility:
“No, but that’s the stuff you dream about, right? I’m just a very lucky guy to get to drive for an amazing bunch of people and just execute,”
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver.
On track, van Gisbergen showed both humor and respect for the unique challenges of Watkins Glen, noting,
“What an awesome race. The last thing was a bit we cleared out, but the battle came back through… and I definitely gave that bus stop wall another meter on that last lap,”
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver. His performance forced competitors such as Bell, Buescher, and Byron to chase, with few able to keep up as the laps wound down.
What Comes Next for the ‘King’ of Road Courses?
As the NASCAR Cup season continues, talk in the paddock and among fans has quickly turned to whether anyone can halt van Gisbergen’s road course winning streak. With each race, he reinforces his command over these venues, making the challenge for rivals even more daunting. The depth of his victory at Watkins Glen, witnessed by his father, only highlighted the personal and professional milestones reached that day.
Looking back at his journey from Auckland, through his international rally career, and now to NASCAR, van Gisbergen’s 2025 campaign adds both accomplishment and emotion to his legacy. If competitors like Bell, Buescher, or Byron hope to dethrone the new king of NASCAR road courses, they will need to step up their efforts in the events ahead. For now, van Gisbergen and his supporters, including the Trackhouse Racing team, are savoring not only another win, but a heartfelt family moment years in the making.
