Shane Van Gisbergen is determined to erase the memory of last year’s frustrating ending at Watkins Glen as he prepares for Sunday’s race. The driver, known for his outstanding performances on road courses, is focused on delivering a flawless effort at the 2.45-mile circuit to avoid repeating past errors during this key regular season event.

Unpredictable Race Dynamics Expected with Watkins Glen Back in Regular Season

Winning crew chief Scott Graves anticipates a different racing dynamic compared to last year’s event, which took place during the playoffs. Although Watkins Glen has moved from its previous playoff slot to the regular season, the competition is expected to remain intense, reminiscent of when Chris Buescher secured a stunning victory after overtaking Van Gisbergen on the last lap in September.

Reflection on Last Year’s Final Lap Incident

Van Gisbergen’s failure to navigate the bus stop section cleanly paved the way for Buescher’s last-lap pass, a moment Van Gisbergen has found hard to forget. Speaking with NBC Sports, he said,

“When I make a personal mistake like that, it still makes me angry to think I threw that one away myself, especially after how good of a day it was and we had the fastest car all day and then to do that,”

—Shane Van Gisbergen.

He added,

“I really want to go there and make no mistakes, have a fast car and try and execute all day, which we have been doing on the road courses.”

—Shane Van Gisbergen

Dominance on Road Courses Highlights Van Gisbergen’s Form

No driver has matched Van Gisbergen on road courses this NASCAR season. He enters the Watkins Glen race, broadcast starting at 1:30 p.m. ET on USA Network, with victories in the last three Cup road events—Sonoma, the Chicago Street Race, and Mexico City—leading an impressive 64.2% of laps over those races. His commanding 16.5-second win in Mexico City was the largest Cup race margin since 2009 and the widest on a road course since 1979, underscoring his exceptional pace and strategy.

Kyle Larson Praises Van Gisbergen’s Unique Driving Style

Kyle Larson, a respected competitor, has acknowledged Van Gisbergen’s extraordinary skill, especially his road course technique. Larson remarked,

“And he’s got his own technique, you can call it. Not his own because the rest of the world does it – you know, right-foot braking, clutching and all that stuff. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks … like there’s zero chance I can learn how to do that. And even if I did, like there’s zero chance that I can have it be better than what I’m probably doing with left-foot braking. So yeah, he’s just so good.”

—Kyle Larson

Larson emphasized Van Gisbergen’s ability to separate himself from the competition, stating he’s

“way, way, way better than us at the road course stuff.”

Changed Stakes with Watkins Glen’s Return to Regular Season

Last year marked Watkins Glen’s debut as a playoff race, part of the three-race opening round following a chaotic event in Atlanta where many playoff drivers struggled. This created a strong emphasis on stage points at Watkins Glen, influencing strategies significantly. Typically, drivers aiming to win pit before the end of the first stage, often sacrificing stage points for better track position in later stages.

Scott Graves explained,

“I think you see this every year, whether it was Watkins Glen being in the playoffs last year or you get the (Charlotte) Roval, you’ll see the guys in the playoffs that need those points,

and noted,

“They go for the stage points and that … takes some of the guys out of contention in the final stage. I think it may not play out the same this year (as last year).”

—Scott Graves

With Watkins Glen now positioned in the regular season, the incentive for playoff drivers to focus heavily on stage points is reduced, likely affecting pit strategies and overall race tactics.

Playoff Context Influencing Team Strategies

Chris Buescher, who shocked the field last season, enters this race sitting on the final playoff spot, leading teammate Ryan Preece by 23 points. Therefore, RFK Racing faces decisions regarding whether to prioritize points accumulation early or target an outright win. Graves anticipates a balanced approach this year, stating,

“(Watkins Glen) is likely to race more like the other road courses we’ve seen this year and you’ll see more of a split of people going for points vs. going for the win.”

—Scott Graves

Opportunity for Van Gisbergen to Cement His Place in Road Course History

If Van Gisbergen extends his winning streak at Watkins Glen, he would become only the third driver to claim at least four consecutive NASCAR Cup road course victories. This feat would place him alongside legends like Jeff Gordon, who won six in a row, and Chase Elliott, who earned four consecutive wins. Such a victory would not only erase the disappointment of last year but further establish his dominance in this discipline of racing.