Shane van Gisbergen claimed a decisive win at the Watkins Glen International NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday, dedicating the emotional triumph to his father, Robert, who was present after a challenging year for their family. The Shane van Gisbergen Watkins Glen victory was especially meaningful as it marked the first time his dad watched him win in person following a string of deeply personal losses.
A Special Race Day for the van Gisbergen Family
Robert van Gisbergen flew from New Zealand to the United States for a three-week visit aimed at watching three of his son’s Cup Series races. Sunday marked the first event he attended, culminating in Shane’s dominant performance, winning by more than 11 seconds. The duo celebrated together in Victory Lane, making the day especially poignant for both.
Reflecting on the significance of this moment, Shane observed the importance of cherishing such experiences.
“Maybe I’m too old, or getting old, but I just try and reflect and take in the moment a bit more,”
he shared after his victory.
“Today was really special. Never had my dog in Victory Lane before and my Dad as well.”
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
Coping with Recent Family Losses
Recent months have been difficult for the van Gisbergen family. Shane’s father, Robert, has faced tremendous personal loss, with Shane’s mother, Karen Wallace, passing in April 2024 after a short illness, followed by the death of Robert’s sister and mother in quick succession. The strain of these events was evident as Shane recounted the hardships his father endured.
“He hasn’t been able to travel all year being sick. To have him here for the next three weeks and have a win with it, it’s just really cool to have that moment.”
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
“He lost his wife, my mother (Karen Wallace, died in April 2024 after a short illness), and then his sister and then his mom a month or so ago. It’s been a really rough run for Dad.”
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
Despite the distance created by Shane’s racing career and his sister moving away, the driver maintains daily contact with his father, striving to provide support from afar as they both adapt to the changes in their family.
“It’s hard to support him when I’m on the other side of the world.”
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
“I try and talk to him every day, and yeah, to have him here, and like he was almost in tears too. It’s really special to share that, because we’re a long way from home.”
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
Looking Ahead: More Races Together
Robert van Gisbergen’s stay in the U.S. will continue as he joins Shane for the upcoming races at Richmond and the regular season’s final event at Daytona, before the NASCAR playoffs begin. Having family support at the track is a rare opportunity for Shane and a source of comfort as he manages the pressures of the sport and personal grief.
Discussing the ongoing whirlwind of success and emotion, Shane revealed,
“Yeah, it normally hits me on the plane ride home or 4 a.m. after a few beers.”
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
He emphasized the importance of finding balance between reflection and moving forward.
“Yeah, I try to reflect on it, but I also try and get to the next week pretty quick as well.”
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
He even managed a bit of humor despite the emotional weight, stating,
“I’ll try not to tweet at 4 a.m. this morning.”
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
Significance of a Memorable Victory
The Shane van Gisbergen Watkins Glen victory stands as a tribute not only to racing prowess but also to family resilience and togetherness in the face of adversity. With his father at his side for the next stretch of the season, Shane carries the hope of more shared successes, demonstrating the strength of their bond and the importance of support both on and off the track.
