Shane van Gisbergen Shines Again at Sonoma Raceway
Shane van Gisbergen demonstrated once more on Sunday that he is a formidable force in road course racing. After securing a second-place finish behind Connor Zilisch in Saturday’s Xfinity Series, van Gisbergen bounced back with a stunning victory in the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway. This event marked yet another successful outing for the New Zealand driver, who has established himself as a top competitor in NASCAR.
A Historic Win
Van Gisbergen’s triumph at Sonoma was not just another win; it was a significant milestone that showcased his exceptional talent. He clinched his third consecutive victory on road and street courses from the pole position, a feat that ties him with racing legend Jeff Gordon, who accomplished the same in 1998 and 1999. This win was particularly impressive as it represented van Gisbergen’s third victory of the season, marking his first experience racing around the 1.99-mile, 12-turn circuit in a NASCAR Cup Series vehicle. With this victory, he became the fastest driver to achieve four wins in just 34 starts, surpassing the record set by Parnelli Jones, who accomplished this in his 31st Cup start back in 1967.
Van Gisbergen’s performance was nothing short of spectacular, as he led an impressive 97 laps during the race. This achievement not only underscores his dominance at Sonoma but also eclipses the previous record of 92 laps led by Jeff Gordon in 2004.
A Thrilling Race Experience
Reflecting on his victory, van Gisbergen expressed his gratitude and excitement. "We had an amazing car," he stated. "Chase Briscoe, what a great racer, and he gave me respect. Jumping the last restart a little bit made it pretty tense, but it was amazing. I’m so stoked for Red Bull, Trackhouse, and Chevy. We had a really fun weekend here with some great races, and I hope everyone enjoyed that.”
Having garnered 81 wins in the Australian Supercars series, where he claimed three championships, van Gisbergen is quickly becoming recognized as one of the best road course racers in the history of NASCAR. "I’ve had an incredible time in Australia, and coming here and achieving all this has been a dream come true," remarked the 36-year-old driver of the No. 88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet. "I’ve really enjoyed my time in NASCAR. Thank you, everyone, for making me feel so welcome. I hope I’m here for a long time to come."
Strategic Moves and Challenges
Throughout the race, van Gisbergen’s strategy played a crucial role in his success. He won the second stage by employing a short-pitting strategy to maintain his position on the track. As a result, he climbed to third place on the current Cup Playoff grid, accumulating 17 Playoff points. He finished the race 1.128 seconds ahead of Chase Briscoe, but the final laps were anything but straightforward.
In the closing stages of the race, van Gisbergen faced considerable challenges as he had to navigate three cautions and the ensuing restarts. A significant moment occurred on lap 97 when Cody Ware’s No. 51 Ford lost a tire, prompting a yellow flag. This incident allowed a large group of drivers with fresher tires to chase down those who had opted to stay on track, including van Gisbergen.
Chase Briscoe, who qualified in second place, expressed satisfaction with his performance. "I thought there was one restart where I might be able to get past him, but to be honest, even if I did, he likely would’ve passed me back by the end of the lap," Briscoe commented. "I’m proud of our effort. We were a second-place car all day and ended up finishing second."
Noteworthy Finishes and Strategies
Chase Elliott also made headlines during the race. He opted to pit on lap 97 for fresh tires, which allowed him to finish third after restarting from 14th place on lap 100. Michael McDowell employed a strategy similar to Elliott’s and secured a fourth-place finish. Meanwhile, Christopher Bell held steady in fifth place despite having older tires.
"It was nice to be on the offensive and give ourselves a shot," Elliott noted. "I wish I could have made it happen at the end, but I just couldn’t get going like we needed."
The final laps of the race were marked by intense competition, partly due to the ongoing NASCAR Cup In-Season Challenge. In the third round at Sonoma, Ty Dillon, seeded 32nd, made a bold move, bumping the No. 48 Chevrolet of Alex Bowman on the last lap to finish 17th, while Bowman came in 19th. This move allowed Dillon to keep his hopes alive for the $1 million prize.
Dillon will advance to face John Hunter Nemechek in the semifinals at Dover Motor Speedway next Sunday. Nemechek managed to finish one spot ahead of his Legacy Motor Club teammate Erik Jones, who placed 28th to Jones’s 29th, enabling him to progress to the fourth round.
"It was a rough couple of laps there," Dillon acknowledged. "Alex and I race really clean. I told him, ‘If it wasn’t for the million dollars, I probably wouldn’t have done that,’ but I had to take my shot. It’s been an incredible run for this No. 10 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet team. We’ve worked so hard for this opportunity. We’re going to give it all we’ve got at Dover and put pressure on the guys. Our team doesn’t quit."
Ty Gibbs also made a significant impact by securing a spot in the tournament semifinals with a seventh-place finish. This result allowed him to outpace Zane Smith, who finished 27th. Additionally, Tyler Reddick eliminated Ryan Preece, finishing sixth while Preece came in 12th. Gibbs and Reddick are set to face off at the Monster Mile for a chance to reach the finals.
William Byron, Joey Logano, and Kyle Busch rounded out the top ten in a race that featured six cautions spanning 17 laps.
Conclusion
Shane van Gisbergen’s remarkable performance at Sonoma Raceway not only highlights his skill as a road course driver but also solidifies his place in the NASCAR Cup Series. With each race, he continues to break records and set new standards for excellence, making him a driver to watch in the future. As the season progresses, the excitement surrounding his career and the intense competition within the series promise to keep fans engaged and eager for more thrilling races.
