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NASCAR Monday Mash-Up: Sonoma field no match for Shane van Gisbergen

JHby: Jonathan Howard07/14/25Jondean25
Shane van Gisbergen NASCAR Sonoma
Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images

For the second week in a row and third time this season, Shane van Gisbergen dominated the NASCAR field on the right-hand turns. SVG’s first race at Sonoma in the Cup Series ended with a big drink of wine in Victory Lane.

While Shane van Gisbergen dominated the Cup Series field, he did not get the sweep. He was one race win away from his second weekend sweep in a row in Xfinity and Cup. Two pole awards, but only one race win.

There was only one man in Sonoma, California, capable of beating SVG. Let’s get into the action from this past weekend.

William Sawalich fights tooth and nail for ARCA West win

To get the weekend started at Sonoma, William Sawalich led every lapin the ARCA West race. Except, it wasn’t as easy as it sounds.

An overtime restart, only one lap in ARCA, led to Sawalich going through the dirt after Turn 1. He got shipped by Alon Day. In Turn 11, Sawalich charged back after falling to 4th, and moved Christian Eckes up into Day and drag raced to the finish for the win.

Cody Ware wreck was brutal and violent

The in-car camera was shown from the Cody Ware incident at Chicago. His entire interior was ruined. That video showed just how violent and awful the wreck was.

NASCAR dropped the ball on that call. A caution should have been called. Thankfully, Ware was uninjured in the wreck.

Marty Smith shows up to get the NASCAR Xfinity race started

How about Marty Smith showing up for NASCAR action on Saturday? Smith gave an epic command to fire engines before the Xfinity Series race.

Smith has spent years in the NASCAR world. While he’s more of a college football guy now, he still has love for stock car racing.

SVG delivers thumbs-up to Connor Zilisch mid-pass

During the NASCAR Xfinity Series race, one moment stuck out in particular. SVG and Connor Zilisch fought all race long. As van Gisbergen made a pass, he gave a thumbs-up to his JRM teammate.

We have seen the Kiwi give various salutes and gestures out of his window in his time in NASCAR. He laughed about it after the Cup race, saying he appreciated not having a window so he can let people know exactly how he feels.

Zilisch outlasts van Gisbergen to win at Sonoma

Despite making a great pass on Zilisch with his thumb out the window, SVG did not win the race. Zilisch was the dragon-slayer in Sonoma this weekend.

These two are going to race together at Trackhouse next season. That will be a treat for NASCAR fans. Is Zilisch the only driver who can compete with SVG consistently?

Keelan Harvick calls out his dad for being ‘old’

While the NASCAR race was in California, Keelan Harvick and his dad, this guy named Kevin, raced at Hickory in the CARS Tour. Keelan won the race and beat his future Hall of Fame dad.

After the race, Keelan called out his dad. It isn’t hard to beat him when he’s “out of shape and old.”

AJ Allmendinger ‘out of talent’ during NASCAR race

During the Cup Series race, AJ Allmendinger looked good until he didn’t. The Kaulig Racing driver was not happy with how fast he was around the track. He just couldn’t figure it out.

“I’m completely frustrated on how I can’t save tires,” Allmendinger said on his radio. “I’m out of talent trying to figure it out.” A tough weekend for the 16 team in wine country.

Daniel Suárez, Ross Chastain get into each other

Among the various squabbles and beefs on the track were Daniel Suárez and Ross Chastain. The two Trackhouse teammates got into each other in Turn 11 at one point, sending Suárez around.

While the 99 vowed revenge, nothing came of it. A little trouble at Trackhouse given the news that Suárez won’t be back in 2026?

Crew members brawl after close call on pit road

Chris Buescher got into Ty Gibbs a bit. Then it looked like Gibbs buzzed by Brad Keselowski’s crew members on purpose, making contact with a tire.

So, the 54 pit crew and 6 pit crew fought about it. After the pit stop was made, Keselowski’s tire changer made a point to talk to Keselowski’s team and that’s when things boiled over.

NASCAR field owned by SVG again on road course

So, tell me if you’ve heard this one before – Shane van Gisbergen wins at a road course, and it wasn’t close. Nothing anyone could do stopped SVG.

The main problem is the Cup Series doesn’t have Connor Zilisch, yet. That is going to change, but for now, SVG is the undisputed king of the road courses.