Shane van Gisbergen NASCAR Cup wins have set a new milestone, as he became the winningest foreign-born driver in the history of the NASCAR Cup Series after a commanding performance at Watkins Glen. This latest achievement highlights NASCAR’s growing international participation, signaling a new era where global talents are leaving a major mark on America’s premier stock car racing stage.
Traditionally, NASCAR champions and race winners have come from the United States. However, recent seasons have seen a significant increase in competitors from around the world, many of whom are not only participating but also taking home victories. The 2022 Cup event at Watkins Glen made history by featuring drivers from seven countries, and, notably, roughly half of the 11 total Cup wins by foreign-born drivers have happened within the last five years.
On all three of NASCAR’s main touring circuits—the Cup, Xfinity, and Trucks—champions from seven countries have made it to the winner’s circle. Canada leads the charge among foreign nations with 13 combined victories, but drivers from around the globe have taken the checkered flag 43 times across these series. Some international competitors, such as Canadian Ron Fellows, who is renowned for road course racing and boasts six national wins, and Stewart Friesen with his four victories, shined in the lower series but never clinched a Cup Series win.
Milestone at Watkins Glen Underscores Changing Landscape
During the Go Bowling at The Glen event, Shane van Gisbergen displayed dominance, leading 38 of the 90 laps and pulling away by more than 11 seconds from Christopher Bell in the final stretch. This standout performance has cemented his place at the top of the foreign-born Cup winners list and has generated significant attention within the racing community, making it an ideal moment to reflect on the most accomplished non-American Cup drivers in NASCAR history.
The Five Most Successful Foreign-Born Cup Winners
Mario Andretti, who arrived in the United States from Istria (now part of Croatia) in 1955, is remembered for his remarkable versatility in motorsports, including victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, four IndyCar titles, and the 1978 F1 championship. In his brief time in NASCAR Cup competition, Andretti earned a single, yet legendary, win at the 1967 Daytona 500. He recorded three top-ten finishes but never returned to victory lane in his stock car forays.
Juan Pablo Montoya brought international flair to NASCAR following his wins at the Indianapolis 500 (twice, in 2000 and 2015), victory at the Monaco Grand Prix, and multiple titles at the 24 Hours of Daytona. Competing in 256 Cup races, Montoya found victory at Sonoma in 2007 and Watkins Glen in 2010. His eighth place in the 2009 overall standings equals the best-ever season finish for a non-American driver.
Australian Marcos Ambrose, celebrated as a two-time Supercars champion, established himself as a formidable road-course specialist in NASCAR. After moving over during the mid-2000s, Ambrose quickly tallied five Xfinity Series victories, making him the most successful foreign-born driver in that division. His Cup Series wins, both at the challenging Watkins Glen circuit in 2011 and 2012, further bolstered his reputation as a dominant road racer.
Daniel Suárez, a native of Monterrey, is notable as the only foreign-born driver to capture a NASCAR national series championship, earning the 2016 Xfinity title with Joe Gibbs Racing. As a current member of Trackhouse Racing, Suárez has proven his talent by securing wins in Trucks, Xfinity, and Cup competition. His two Cup Series victories—Sonoma in 2022 and Atlanta in 2024—have contributed to his playoff appearances and underscored his consistency at the highest level.
Shane van Gisbergen Sets the Pace for International Drivers
In just over a year since his Cup Series debut, Shane van Gisbergen, a three-time Australian Supercars champion, has transformed from a curiosity into a dominant force, especially on road courses. His inaugural Cup race at the Chicago Street Course in 2023 resulted in a win—an unprecedented feat that had not occurred in over 60 years. Since then, van Gisbergen, often referred to as SVG, has continued to impress by accumulating victories at Mexico City, the Chicago Street Course, Sonoma, and now Watkins Glen, narrowly missing a win only at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA).
Achieving five Cup wins in less than two seasons, SVG has shattered the longstanding foreign-born wins record, all while the current season still has several races to go. His rapid rise sets a new standard for international drivers, and his accomplishments signal new possibilities for ambitious talent worldwide hoping to leave their mark on NASCAR.
NASCAR’s evolving landscape now features increasing contributions from prominent figures such as Juan Pablo Montoya, Daniel Suárez, and Marcos Ambrose. The doors continue to open wider for talented international drivers, and Shane van Gisbergen‘s ongoing success has further validated NASCAR as a truly global stage. With more wins likely in his future, SVG’s breakthrough paves the way for the next generation of foreign-born Champions.
