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Shane van Gisbergen dominates at Watkins Glen, sets NASCAR Cup Series rookie record for most wins in single season

ProfilePhotoby: Nick Geddes08/10/25NickGeddesNews
Shane van Gisbergen
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Shane van Gisbergen has done it again. The Trackhouse Racing driver dusted the field in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Watkins Glen International, beating Christopher Bell to the start-finish line by 11.116 seconds.

The win is van Gisbergen’s fourth of the season — all on road courses — setting a new Cup record for most victories in a rookie season. Van Gisbergen broke a tie with Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart.

For all of the talk throughout the week of Watkins Glen being the one road course where the rest of the field could compete with him, van Gisbergen had other plans. Yes, Ryan Blaney edged him out for the pole and yes, Chris Buescher got him in last year’s race at Watkins Glen. But it was clear for most of the afternoon that van Gisbergen was the driver to beat. He led 38 laps, and his 11-second win over Bell makes him the first driver in the Era of Electronic Timing and Scoring to have multiple wins in a season with a margin of victory of 10 plus seconds, per Seth Eggert of Race Face Digital.

Shane van Gisbergen celebrates with father after winning at Watkins Glen

This was an emotional one for van Gisbergen. His father, Robert, was in attendance Sunday and got to see his son kick yet another rugby ball into the stands. Van Gisbergen hadn’t seen his father since Christmas, as he was unable to travel due to blood clots in his legs.

“It’s amazing to have him here,” van Gisbergen told Marty Snider of TNT Sports. “It’s been a very tough year for dad, and he hasn’t been able to travel. Having him here for the next three weeks and sharing this with him — it’s amazing.”

In just 21 days, van Gisbergen will embark on his first postseason in Cup competition. He’s now accumulated 22 playoff points, third most among drivers. Of course, van Gisbergen still has plenty to learn on ovals. But those playoff points will be useful in his challenge of getting out of the first round. If he does, watch out for him in the second round where the Charlotte ROVAL is on the schedule.

“It ain’t going to be easy, that’s for sure,” van Gisbergen said. “The first round has some very difficult left-handed tracks, but I’m getting better at it, I’m enjoying myself and it’s a challenge. But that’s why we’re here.”