Connor Zilisch collided with Shane Van Gisbergen during the final laps of the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Watkins Glen International on August 9, 2025, causing Van Gisbergen’s car to crash hard into the wall and ending his race immediately. The incident marked a significant turning point in the contest, highlighting the challenges drivers face in tight battles for the lead.
The crash occurred as the two drivers fought fiercely for the top spot, with Zilisch’s car striking the right rear of Van Gisbergen’s No. 9 Chevrolet. This contact left Van Gisbergen’s vehicle severely damaged, including a detached front wheel and heavy rear-end impact, forcing him out of contention.
Race Developments Leading to the Collision
Starting on the outside of the front row, Shane Van Gisbergen held second place behind Zilisch early on. The race’s initial caution emerged after Josh Bilicki and Ryan Sieg made contact, briefly disrupting the flow. Upon the restart, Van Gisbergen dropped to third place behind William Sawalich but quickly regained position.
JR Motorsports opted for an alternative pit strategy with both their drivers pitting on lap 18. After the stage break, Van Gisbergen advanced to second, trailing only Zilisch. He then claimed the lead with 31 laps remaining following a restart, successfully fending off pressure from Zilisch and Austin Hill.
The Intense Final Laps and Crash Incident
As the race approached its conclusion, Zilisch attempted an aggressive move on the outside at the penultimate corner. Unable to maintain his line, he ran wide and clipped the right rear of Van Gisbergen’s car as he rejoined the track. The impact launched Van Gisbergen into the outer barrier, ending his promising run.
The crash was captured on video by the motorsports account Rubbin is Racing, which posted on X:
“ZILISCH AND SVG GET TOGETHER BATTLING FOR THE LEAD! SVG CRASHES HARD!”
Van Gisbergen described the crash aftermath in an interview with The CW Sports, expressing his disappointment:
“Not ideal, pretty gutted really, gutted for the JR Motorsports guys. Our car wasn’t great, but we still managed to get ourselves in a good position. A pretty average way to end it.”
Immediately after the accident, Van Gisbergen communicated with his crew:
“I’m okay. Car’s not.”
Van Gisbergen’s Focus Shifts to Upcoming Cup Series Event
With his No. 9 Chevrolet taken out of the race, Shane Van Gisbergen will now concentrate on the upcoming NASCAR Cup Series event. He is set to start second and will aim for his fourth victory of the season, seeking to build on his impressive performances across road courses this year.
Shane Van Gisbergen Commits Long-Term to Trackhouse Racing
Amid the recent race drama, Van Gisbergen secured his NASCAR future by signing a multi-year contract extension with Trackhouse Racing. This agreement confirms that he will continue driving the No. 88 Chevrolet Camaro in the Cup Series for multiple seasons ahead.
Trackhouse Racing initially introduced Van Gisbergen to NASCAR competition two years ago at the Chicago Street Race, where he made a remarkable debut by winning. His entry has since been shared by notable drivers including Formula 1 champion Kimi Räikkönen and Indy 500 winner Hélio Castroneves.
This current season represents Van Gisbergen’s first full-time Cup Series campaign, during which he has already achieved three victories at road courses in Mexico, Chicago, and Sonoma. His performance ties the rookie record for most wins in a single NASCAR season.
Notably, Van Gisbergen is the fastest driver to reach three wins in NASCAR’s modern era and the first New Zealander to reach this milestone. Trackhouse Racing announced the contract extension on X with the message:
“NEWS: Multiyear contract extension for SVG. The winningest foreign-born driver in (NASCAR) history will remain in The House for years to come.”
Van Gisbergen will continue racing alongside teammate Ross Chastain, while Daniel Suárez, the team’s third driver, is expected to leave at the close of the season.
Playoff Prospects and Future Challenges for Van Gisbergen
Thanks to his trio of wins, Shane Van Gisbergen has clinched a spot in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, which start later this month at Darlington Raceway. Despite the playoff schedule featuring just one road course at Charlotte Motor Speedway during the Round of 12, the Kiwi driver is widely regarded as a leading contender given his road course strengths.
If Van Gisbergen advances beyond the initial Round of 16, he is expected to be a serious threat heading into Charlotte, where his skill on technical circuits could prove decisive in the championship hunt.