WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. — Shane van Gisbergen earned his fourth victory this season, blowing out the competitors once more at Watkins Glen Worldwide.
The Trackhouse Racing driver joined 2020 champion Chase Elliott and NASCAR Corridor of Famer Jeff Gordon as the one drivers to win 4 consecutive Cup races on highway or road programs.
Not like his prior wins at Mexico Metropolis, Chicago and Sonoma, van Gisbergen was unable to qualify from the pole place after he was nipped by Ryan Blaney. The Auckland, New Zealand, native bided his group after beginning second, taking his first lead on Lap 25 of 90 after which settling right into a sometimes flawless and clean rhythm on the two.45-mile highway course.
The rookie made his ultimate pit cease with 27 laps remaining and cycled into first place on Lap 74 of a clear race with solely three yellow flags. Cruising to a giant lead whereas main the ultimate 17 laps, van Gisbergen beat Christopher Bell by 11.116 seconds. Chris Buescher completed third, adopted by William Byron and Chase Briscoe.
With 5 victories in solely 38 profession begins in NASCAR’s premier collection, van Gisbergen trails solely Elliott (seven wins) and Kyle Larson (six) amongst lively drivers on road or highway programs.
The win validated the choice by Trackhouse to signal van Gisbergen to a multiyear contract extension final week.
Feisty Gibbs
It was one other irritating race for Ty Gibbs, who spun John Hunter Nemechek late in Stage 2 after which complained concerning the dealing with and technique of his No. 54 Toyota. Joe Gibbs Racing competitors director Chris Gabehart, who just lately started working as a strategist and guide to Gibbs’ group, radioed the driving force to “keep within the recreation” after the Nemechek wreck and later took problem after Gibbs questioned his group’s technique.
“I am certain you’ve got received an actual good understanding from contained in the automotive,” Gabehart advised Gibbs on the radio. “So you’ll be able to name the technique if you need, or we will maintain rolling.”
Gibbs, the grandson of group proprietor Joe Gibbs, completed thirty third and remained winless since shifting into Cup after profitable the 2022 Xfinity Sequence championship. Teammates Chase Briscoe, Denny Hamlin and Bell every have certified for the playoffs with victories this season.
Up subsequent
The Cup Sequence will race Saturday, Aug. 16 at Richmond Raceway, which is able to play host to its solely NASCAR race weekend this season. The 0.75-mile oval had two annual races on the Cup schedule from 1959-2024.
The Related Press contributed to this report.