Shane Van Gisbergen recently discussed his cautious driving in the closing moments of the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Sonoma Raceway, where he faced off against teammate Connor Zilisch. The Kiwi driver shared that his relationship with Zilisch at JR Motorsports significantly influenced his decision not to engage in aggressive maneuvers during their last-lap duel.
Choosing Team Loyalty Over Aggressive Moves
During an appearance on the Dale Jr. Download podcast, Van Gisbergen reflected on how his strategy was shaped by racing a teammate rather than a rival. When asked by host and JR Motorsports co-owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. how the situation might have changed if Zilisch were not on the same team, Van Gisbergen responded without hesitation:
Yeah, Yeah, I raced him as a teammate rather than a friend right? You don’t want to you try not to have friends, but you don’t want to wreck your own team’s cars.
—Shane Van Gisbergen, Driver
He acknowledged that although he attempted an outside pass in the final corner, he avoided pushing too hard or risking contact that could have damaged either car. Van Gisbergen explained that if it had been anyone other than a teammate, his tactics likely would have been more aggressive.
You know, like I if it wasn’t a teammate, I probably wouldn’t have gone down or I wouldn’t have gone down the outside at the last corner. That’s never going to work. You’re never going to drive around the outside of anyone,
—Shane Van Gisbergen, Driver
Prioritizing Team Unity Over a Win
Although Van Gisbergen ultimately finished behind Zilisch in their intense contest at Sonoma, he emphasized that risking a crash or damaging team cars to gain victory was not an option he embraced. The driver reflected on the limited choices he faced in that closing lap:
There’s no other options really. The other two options is you just follow them around the corner or you drive into the back of them and push them wide and win the race. Even though that would be great, it wouldn’t feel good, especially doing that to a teammate, you know, but if it was anyone else in the field, you’d probably highly consider giving them a little bump. So, it definitely did change it.
—Shane Van Gisbergen, Driver
Van Gisbergen’s remarks highlight a commitment to maintaining harmony within JR Motorsports despite the high stakes of competition. This respect for team cohesion stands out in a sport where aggressive last-lap contact is often a standard tactic.
Van Gisbergen’s Growing NASCAR Success Rooted in Experience and Sportsmanship
Currently in his first full season in NASCAR’s Cup Series, Van Gisbergen has earned recognition for his smooth and composed road course racing. His decisions at Sonoma reflect a mindset shaped by his broad racing experience, steady judgment, and ethical approach to tight battles. The respect he shows for Zilisch and JR Motorsports not only affects individual races but could prove valuable for long-term team success as he continues adapting to NASCAR.