Shane van Gisbergen delivered a commanding performance during Saturday’s Focused Health 250 at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA), capturing his first victory at the renowned Texas track in NASCAR’s second-tier O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. The highly anticipated Shane van Gisbergen COTA win saw the New Zealand driver notch another achievement as he held off Austin Hill and a competitive field of road course specialists.
SVG Executes Standout Moves to Capture Victory
Throughout each stage of the race, van Gisbergen confirmed his reputation as a road course expert in both the NASCAR Cup Series and O’Reilly’s Auto Parts Series. Starting from fourth, he strategically worked through the field, showcasing remarkable car control and racecraft. As the final stage began, van Gisbergen seized his opportunity with a daring maneuver on the inside of turn 16, overtaking the leaders with 20 laps remaining and flashing a peace sign to his rivals. This bold move set the stage for the closing drama of the event.
Early Contender Connor Zilisch Suffers Setback
The main challenge for van Gisbergen came from his Trackhouse and JRM teammate, Connor Zilisch. Zilisch, a celebrated phenom and recent Cup Series rookie, suffered a critical setback in the opening stage after a wheel-hop incident led to a rear brake rotor failure, forcing him out of lead contention. After repairs, Zilisch charged from the back of the pack and climbed into the top ten with ten laps to go, reigniting hopes for a late-stage showdown among front-runners.
Final Laps Feature Chaos and Competitive Moves
A late caution triggered by Sage Karam’s stranded car threw strategy into question and reshuffled the running order. Nick Sanchez and Justin Allgaier stayed out to control the front row, while van Gisbergen settled in sixth position and Zilisch restarted eleventh. With five laps to the finish, van Gisbergen once again executed a pivotal inside move, surging from sixth to first, then setting the fastest lap of the race the following circuit.
“I kinda sucked the No. 41 in, and he sorta took everyone out for me, so that was cool,”
—Shane van Gisbergen, race winner, speaking to The CW Sports following his decisive lap 61 restart.
Further chaos struck when Harrison Burton and Rajah Caruth tangled in turn 6A, collecting several key competitors but without causing another caution. Meanwhile, Zilisch, briefly running in the top five again, was nudged by Corey Day in the S’s, spinning and crashing before fading to 22nd place—his first road course finish outside the top five in this series.
Top Finishers and Standout Debuts
In his final push, van Gisbergen pulled ahead to establish a 1.8-second lead on Austin Hill, with Hill ultimately closing the gap to just 0.780 seconds at the checkered flag. Sammy Smith and Jesse Love crossed the line next, with Corey Day—who had late-race contact with Zilisch—rounding out the top five. Notably, 17-year-old Brent Crews impressed with a sixth-place result in his first series start, adding further intrigue to the deep and competitive field.
The Broader Impact of van Gisbergen’s Texas Triumph
Shane van Gisbergen’s victory at COTA further cements his reputation as one of NASCAR’s top road course talents and validates his progression through multiple racing disciplines. With consistent performances in the Cup Series and O’Reilly’s Auto Parts Series, his win highlights the global reach and versatility of top drivers. For fans, the race provided a showcase of skill, strategy, and intensity, promising more compelling battles as the season continues.
3 WIDE FOR THE LEAD 😱
SVG back out in front! pic.twitter.com/BxjMU3Iwnb
— The CW Sports (@TheCW_Sports) February 28, 2026
SVG to the lead after the restart 😮💨
Get to The CW for the finish!!! pic.twitter.com/49vQeTDVnu
— The CW Sports (@TheCW_Sports) February 28, 2026
