Shane Van Gisbergen continued his extraordinary rookie season with a commanding performance at Sonoma Raceway during the Toyota / Save Mart 350 on Sunday. Starting from pole position, Van Gisbergen led 97 of the 110 laps, securing his second straight road course victory and third win overall in the 2025 NASCAR season, further establishing his prowess on road circuits.
The Kiwi driver’s dominance left no doubt about his skill, answering any questions about competition after Kevin Harvick remarked last week that Van Gisbergen is simply too strong for other drivers to match. With this win, Van Gisbergen is rapidly closing in on the record for most victories by a rookie in NASCAR history, threatening to surpass legends such as Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart.
Van Gisbergen Reflects on Perfect Teamwork and Race Execution
After the race, Van Gisbergen praised his No. 88 crew for their flawless execution both in the pits and on the track, emphasizing how crucial that teamwork was to his win. He expressed gratitude for the Chevrolet provided by Trackhouse Racing and the support from sponsors like Red Bull, describing the past weeks as truly remarkable.
This is amazing. This is why we go racing. I had a great time. It’s awesome to have Red Bull on the car this weekend. Trackhouse Racing gave me a great Chevrolet again. What a great couple of weeks! Just to execute, make no mistakes, have great pit stops, great strategy and be able to hold them off there at the end – it’s incredible.
Shane van Gisbergen said via NBC Sports.
Strong Challenges from Chase Briscoe Heighten the Triumph
The race was not without its battles, as Joe Gibbs Racing’s Chase Briscoe mounted the most significant challenge to Van Gisbergen’s lead. Briscoe’s aggressive moves, especially on the final restart, pushed the rookie to defend his position fiercely. This spirited competition added special meaning to the victory, as Van Gisbergen experienced the thrill of outdueling a seasoned rival.
Chase (Briscoe) was driving really well. We had a lot of fun there. … On the last restart, I thought he (Briscoe) jumped a little bit. I was just trying to do what I could to get in position in Turn 2. That last one, I had to give him a bit of rub, but that was it. I’m just over the moon.
Shane van Gisbergen added.
Building Momentum From Team Effort and Oval Racing Challenges Ahead
Van Gisbergen credited his team’s consistent progress throughout the season, acknowledging the hard work that has kept the crew strong during the more challenging oval races. With 16 races remaining, he aims to maintain his momentum and improve his performance on ovals, hoping to build confidence and secure his first oval victory soon.
I just have to thank these [No. 88] guys. We’ve built up all year, got better and better, and now we need to keep getting better on the ovals and start proving some people wrong.
Shane van Gisbergen said.
From Australian Supercars to NASCAR Stardom
Reflecting on his journey, Van Gisbergen compared his success in the Australian Supercars championship—where he won three titles—with the current excitement of racing in the NASCAR Cup Series. He described his NASCAR experience as a dream realized and expressed hope to continue competing at this elite level for many years to come.
I had an amazing time in Australia [racing Supercars] and then to come here, the last couple of years has been [a] dream come true. I really enjoyed my time in NASCAR…[I] hope I’m here for a long time to come.
Shane van Gisbergen added.
Growing Confidence Signals a Bright Future in Stock Car Racing
Van Gisbergen’s words reveal a driver growing more comfortable with the Next-Gen car and steadily improving in diverse race conditions. His growing confidence hints at a promising season ahead as he continues to challenge the established veterans in the sport. Fans and analysts alike are keen to see how quickly he can translate his road course success into his first Oval win, which would cement his place among NASCAR’s elite rookies.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What happened to Shane van Gisbergen, Adelaide?
A. Sadly, Van Gisbergen’s last races did not play out as the perfect story many hoped for. On Saturday, during the first lap, he crashed into Will Brown’s car, which had already been in an accident at Turn 4. On Sunday, he faced braking problems that forced him to drop out before the race ended.
Q. Is Shane van Gisbergen still with Jessica Dane?
A. Shane van Gisbergen is dating Jessica Dane. They made their relationship known in 2022, but they started dating before that. Jessica is the daughter of Roland Dane, who started Triple Eight Race Engineering, a well-known name in Australian motorsport.
Q. Is Shane van Gisbergen an American citizen?
A. Shane Robert van Gisbergen, who goes by SVG, was born on May 9, 1989. He is a professional racing driver from New Zealand.