On Sunday, July 13, Shane Van Gisbergen delivered a commanding performance at Sonoma Raceway, securing his third win of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season. His remarkable display behind the wheel of the #88 has caused a significant reshuffling in the latest NASCAR power rankings as the series approaches the crucial Dover race weekend.
With six races left before the end of the regular season, a total of 12 different drivers have claimed victories this year, creating a fiercely competitive environment as playoffs loom. Shane van Gisbergen NASCAR dominance is becoming undeniable, especially given his recent surge.
Van Gisbergen’s Road Course Excellence Contrasts with Oval Track Challenges
Shane van Gisbergen has enjoyed an explosive run recently, winning three out of the last five events. This streak boosted the Trackhouse Racing driver from 33rd position and zero playoff points to amassing 17 playoff points and three wins. Notably, all of his triumphs—at Mexico City, Chicago, and Sonoma—have come on road courses, highlighting his proficiency on these tracks.
However, his performance on oval circuits tells a different story, as he has yet to finish higher than 14th at any oval track this season. The upcoming 1.0-mile oval at Dover, Delaware, presents a critical test to see if van Gisbergen’s momentum on road courses can extend to the demanding oval layout.
Chase Briscoe’s Rising Form Adds Intrigue Before Dover
Among drivers gaining strength is Chase Briscoe, who has shown a marked improvement just as the playoffs approach. The #19 driver has posted three top-10 finishes in the past five races, including a victory at Pocono and a second-place result at Sonoma. This rise in form has propelled Briscoe into the top five of the current power rankings.
Standing eighth in the points with seven top-five finishes and four pole positions, Briscoe remains challenged by Dover’s track history, as he has not finished better than 13th in his four starts there. Nonetheless, his recent success gives hope that he might deliver a breakthrough performance on ‘The Monster Mile’ this weekend.
Tyler Reddick Keeps Consistent Pace While Chasing First Victory of Season
Tyler Reddick’s consistency cannot be overlooked as he moves into this weekend’s competition. Driving the #45 car for 23XI Racing, Reddick has not finished worse than sixth in his last three races, maintaining steady form despite still seeking his first win of 2025. This reliability places him third in the power rankings ahead of Dover.
Currently fourth in overall points and the highest-ranked driver without a victory this year, Reddick has accumulated five top-five finishes and maintains an average finish near 14th. With six Cup starts at Dover, including two top-10s, he remains a contender likely to challenge for victory on July 20.
Denny Hamlin Faces Pressure to Rebound as Defending Dover Champion
Denny Hamlin, driving the #11 Joe Gibbs Racing car, endured a tough weekend at Sonoma, finishing twentieth. Despite this setback, Hamlin’s season has been strong overall, boasting four top-five finishes and one win during the last six races. He aims to claim his fourth victory of the year at Dover.
Hamlin is the defending winner at Dover Motor Speedway and has three wins this season, including a career total of 19 starts with an average finish of 13.6. While his recent results at Sonoma were below expectations, he remains one of the frontrunners expected to perform well on race day.
Chase Elliott’s Recent Consistency Places Him at the Summit of Power Rankings
Chase Elliott, piloting the #9 Hendrick Motorsports car, is riding a wave of strong performances, including a third-place finish at Sonoma. Elliott has secured top-five results in four of the last five races and earned a win earlier this season at EchoPark Speedway. These achievements have thrust him to the top of this week’s NASCAR power rankings.
Currently second in the Cup points standings, trailing teammate William Byron by just 14 points, Elliott boasts seven top-five finishes and holds the best average finish of 10.2 among active drivers in 2025. With two prior Dover victories on his resume, Elliott is well-positioned to add a third on Sunday.
Implications and Anticipation Heading Into Dover
As the NASCAR Cup Series rushes toward the playoffs, Shane van Gisbergen’s NASCAR dominance on road courses has introduced a fresh narrative, though his upcoming challenge is to conquer ovals like Dover’s 1.0-mile track. Meanwhile, contenders such as Chase Briscoe, Tyler Reddick, Denny Hamlin, and Chase Elliott each bring momentum and different strengths to the weekend’s competition.
With the regular season winding down, every race is critical for drivers fighting to secure playoff positioning or chase their first 2025 victory. Dover’s unique demands and high-speed racing offer an electrifying stage for drivers to showcase skill and resilience, setting the tone for the intense battles yet to come.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What happened to Shane van Gisbergen, Adelaide?
A. Sadly, Van Gisbergen’s last races didn’t go as perfectly as hoped. On Saturday’s first lap, he ran into Will Brown’s car, which had already crashed at Turn 4. Then, on Sunday, braking problems prevented him from completing the race.
Q. Is Shane van Gisbergen still with Jessica Dane?
A. Shane van Gisbergen is dating Jessica Dane. They revealed they were together in 2022, but their relationship started before that. Jessica is the daughter of Roland Dane, who founded Triple Eight Race Engineering, a well-known name in Australian motorsport.