With the NASCAR Cup Series set to return to Austin’s Circuit of the Americas, Daniel Suarez has pointed to former teammate Shane van Gisbergen as the standard that others must match, predicting a Shane van Gisbergen COTA advantage this coming weekend. Although van Gisbergen’s Austin results have not included a victory, Suarez believes the recent horsepower increase and a high-wear tire will play into the New Zealander’s hands and create a stern challenge for the field.
Horsepower Boost and Tire Strategy Could Shake Up the Field
The increase from 670 to 750 horsepower on road courses is drawing attention throughout the NASCAR paddock, as teams prepare for higher speeds and greater tire degradation. This technical shift is likely to alter the dynamic at COTA, as drivers and teams look for any advantage. Daniel Suarez’s experience competing against Shane van Gisbergen on road courses has shown him firsthand just how potent van Gisbergen can be—especially when tire management comes into play under more demanding conditions.
Van Gisbergen’s Tire Management Sets Him Apart
The driving force behind van Gisbergen’s consistent road-course performance isn’t an overwhelming history of wins at COTA, but his expertise in managing tires throughout long, green-flag runs. More horsepower means quicker laps, but it also accelerates tire wear, magnifying the advantage for drivers who can preserve their equipment while pushing the limits. According to Suarez, the return of last year’s Goodyear tire compound at COTA—designed to induce performance fall-off—could amplify van Gisbergen’s strengths.
“I think SVG is going to have an even bigger advantage because he’s very, very good,”
Suarez said.
“That’s his advantage, you know, the way that he’s able to brake with the clutch and take care of the tires at the same time. So the more fall-off we get on the tires, the more he’s going to excel. So that’s why I think that before we came to this tire, he was good, but he wasn’t dominant.”
– Daniel Suarez, Driver
Van Gisbergen’s Track Record Backs Up Suarez’s Praise
Despite being lauded for his road-course prowess, van Gisbergen’s actual results at COTA show room for improvement: he has competed in two Cup Series races at this track and has yet to claim a victory. However, his Supercars record and his overall NASCAR road course results tell a different story. In just nine career Cup road course starts, the three-time Supercars champion boasts four wins and has only finished outside the top 10 once. When expanding the view to street circuits, van Gisbergen holds six wins in twelve starts—clear evidence of why rivals consider him a favorite, particularly under conditions that challenge tire longevity and driver precision.
“I think SVG is going to have an even bigger advantage.”
– Daniel Suarez, Driver
What the Statistics Say Ahead of the COTA Weekend
Van Gisbergen’s numbers highlight his efficiency on technical circuits. The Kiwi’s ability to combine braking technique with tire preservation is expected to pay off even more with the new power package. As tire wear increases during long runs, his knack for stretching stints and maintaining pace further separates him from less disciplined or technically refined competitors. This weekend’s return to the same Goodyear compound should create the perfect stage for van Gisbergen’s skills, potentially allowing him to control the race’s late stages if he avoids trouble early.
Daniel Suarez’s Own COTA Form and Momentum
While Suarez acknowledges the Shane van Gisbergen COTA advantage, he isn’t backing down from the challenge. The 34-year-old Mexican driver has flashed competitive speed at COTA in the past, despite not always achieving headline results. During the 2025 Cup Series race at the 2.3-mile Austin circuit, Suarez started inside the top five, surged as high as third, and maintained a steady pace at the front before a mid-event incident ended his race in 36th place. His five Cup starts at COTA have seen him average a 9.2 starting position with 16 laps led, a testament to his qualifying prowess and pace on road courses.
Importantly, Suarez enters the 2026 season energized by a new partnership with Spire Motorsports. Already, he has delivered a top-five finish at Atlanta with the No. 7 car, running near the leaders often and demonstrating both his experience and his team’s rising competitiveness. The rivalry between Suarez and van Gisbergen is further fueled by their tense history, including a heated Daytona 500.
High Stakes as the NASCAR Cup Returns to Austin
The upcoming COTA event promises a compelling battle as drivers face increased power and a tire package that punishes those who push too hard, too soon. While van Gisbergen’s statistical record and reputation lend credence to Suarez’s warnings, history at Austin proves that nothing comes easy—especially in unpredictable Cup Series competition. With both drivers showing strong recent form, and with the Shane van Gisbergen COTA advantage looming large, fans can expect a fiercely contested showdown.
Whether Daniel Suarez can turn his speed and fresh team momentum into an upset win over van Gisbergen, or if the New Zealander will finally add COTA to his growing list of road-course triumphs, remains a central question heading into race day. Either way, the stage is set for a dramatic and potentially career-defining battle at Circuit of the Americas.
"I think SVG is going to have an even bigger advantage."@Daniel_SuarezG explains what makes @shanevg97 so good on the long run at Road Courses 🧑🎓
With the added horsepower and tire fall off expected for this weekend, we're in for a show at @NASCARatCOTA pic.twitter.com/DFNowYUK3a
— PRN (@PRNlive) February 27, 2026
