Shane van Gisbergen continued his remarkable NASCAR Cup Series rookie season with yet another road course triumph, capturing the Go Bowling at The Glen in commanding style. The New Zealander showcased patience, strategy, and precise driving to secure his fourth straight road course win and fourth victory overall, making history as the first rookie in Cup Series history to achieve such a feat. The day featured strategic gambles, high-profile setbacks, and moments of intense wheel-to-wheel racing that kept the Watkins Glen crowd engaged from start to finish.
Key Highlights
Shane van Gisbergen wins fourth straight road course race, fourth win of rookie season.
Ryan Blaney starts on pole and wins Stage 2, but late pit cycle costs him the lead.
Kyle Larson suffers early brake failure, sending him to the garage for lengthy repairs.
Multiple incidents slow momentum for several contenders, including Josh Berry and John Hunter Nemechek.
SVG’s pass on Blaney with fresher tires seals the win in the final stage.
Early Drama for Larson, Strong Start for Ryan Blaney
The race began with Ryan Blaney on pole and looking to convert his speed into a victory. Shane van Gisbergen quickly pressured from the outside as the field navigated Turn 1 under the new restart zone rules introduced at Turn 6.
Kyle Larson’s day took a dramatic turn just a handful of laps into the race when he reported having “no brakes.” While his car slowed enough to avoid a dangerous crash, the No. 5 team had to push the car to the garage for repairs. The crew replaced brake lines and worked to fix a seal issue, costing Larson any chance of contention.
Meanwhile, Blaney’s steady pace and clean execution in the opening segment allowed him to fend off challenges, even as tire conservation began emerging as a major talking point. SVG, recalling his Sonoma strategy, admitted over the radio that he was “just hanging out” and saving his rear tires for later in the run.
Tire Strategy and Pit Lane Battles
The first major round of green-flag stops brought the pit crews into the spotlight. Blaney and SVG entered pit road nose-to-tail, with the Team Penske crew keeping the No. 12 Ford ahead after a clean stop. This put Blaney in position to control track position heading into Stage 2.
Chris Buescher claimed the Stage 1 victory with a strong late surge, while Blaney took maximum points in Stage 2 by staying on track longer before pitting. The decision to delay service split the strategies among the leaders, setting up a tactical chess match for the final segment.
Pit execution proved critical. While Blaney’s crew excelled early, a slower stop later in the race dropped him deeper in the running order. SVG’s 88 team, on the other hand, delivered consistently smooth stops that allowed him to capitalize when it mattered most.
Incidents Shake Up the Field
As is often the case at Watkins Glen, the race featured its share of contact and spins. Josh Berry was turned around, Zane Smith absorbed a heavy bump, and John Hunter Nemechek found himself in the tire barriers after Ty Gibbs made direct contact entering the carousel. The No. 42 car had been off the pace, but the hit from Gibbs drew immediate attention and questions about intent.
Elsewhere, Michael McDowell and Carson Hocevar tangled, sending Hocevar into a spin. The incidents disrupted rhythm for several mid-pack runners, while the leaders used the green-flag stretches to build gaps and execute their tire strategies.
Despite the chaos, SVG kept his No. 88 Chevrolet clean and unscathed, maintaining his focus on conserving tires and executing pit cycles to perfection.
Final Stage: SVG Makes His Move
Stage 3 began with Blaney and William Byron in control on differing fuel strategies. SVG, pitting earlier for fresher tires, quickly began closing the gap. The decisive move came as SVG used his grip advantage to overtake Blaney on the inside, completing a textbook pass to seize the lead.
Blaney’s slower final stop meant he also had to fend off challenges from Christopher Bell and Bubba Wallace, while SVG built a comfortable margin at the front. With 28 laps to go, the New Zealander showed no signs of fatigue or overdriving, reporting zero complaints about the car’s handling.
Behind him, Chris Buescher made a late push to recreate his 2023 Watkins Glen win, passing Byron in the process. But none could match SVG’s pace and consistency in the closing laps.
Historic Win and Post-Race Celebration
Van Gisbergen crossed the line to secure his fourth consecutive road course victory, cementing his dominance in this discipline. His improvement on ovals this season has also drawn praise, with analysts noting his steady climb toward competitive speed across all track types.
The win carried additional historical weight—no rookie had ever won four Cup Series races in a season until SVG’s performance this year. The moment was capped off with his now-traditional rugby ball celebration, signed by his father, Robert, and tossed into the stands for the fans.
SVG credited his mindset of constant learning, a philosophy instilled by his mentor Paul Morris, as a key factor in his adaptability and success. His humility in victory and praise for his competitors have made him a respected figure both in the garage and among fans.
News in Brief: Key Highlights from 2025 Watkins Glen Race
The 2025 Go Bowling at The Glen will be remembered as another chapter in Shane van Gisbergen’s extraordinary debut season. From strategic tire management to surgical overtaking, SVG executed a near-flawless race to extend his road course winning streak and make Cup Series history. For Ryan Blaney, strong stage results and early control showed promise, but pit lane misfortune left him chasing in the final run. With the playoffs looming, both SVG’s dominance and the tactical lessons from Watkins Glen will echo into the coming rounds—proof that precision, patience, and adaptability remain the keys to victory on NASCAR’s most technical circuits.
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