Shane van Gisbergen once again showcased his dominance in the NASCAR Cup Series by capturing first place in the Go Bowling at the Glen race held at Watkins Glen International. This victory marks van Gisbergen’s fourth win of the 2025 season, tying him with Denny Hamlin for the most race wins so far this year. The New Zealand native’s performance solidifies his status as a leading contender this season.

Challenges Ahead for Van Gisbergen in Playoff Contention

Addressing his prospects for the playoffs, van Gisbergen acknowledged the difficulties that lie ahead, particularly with the upcoming left-handed tracks, which are less familiar to him. Speaking to USA’s Marty Snider, van Gisbergen commented,

“it isn’t going to be easy, the first round has some really difficult left-handed tracks for me. … I’m getting better at it and I’m enjoying myself, and it’s a challenge, but that’s why we’re here.”

Despite the challenges, his enjoyment and determination remain strong as he prepares to navigate the postseason.

Christopher Bell Secures Second Place but Struggles to Match Pace

Finishing as the runner-up to van Gisbergen was Christopher Bell, who crossed the line 11 seconds behind the leader, ahead of Chris Buescher, William Byron, and Ryan Blaney. Bell expressed mixed feelings after the race, pleased with his solid finish but frustrated by the gap to van Gisbergen’s pace. He told USA post-race,

“Happy, yeah, I mean I’m thrilled because we’ve been struggling a little bit to find our rhythm,”

adding,

“Really awesome to have a good day, frustrated to get our butts kicked by the [No.] 88 car but overall it was a good day for our DeWalt Camry.”

Ryan Blaney Faces Difficulties Despite Strong Start

Polesitter Ryan Blaney began the race strongly, leading the opening 18 laps and fending off van Gisbergen’s early advances. However, he struggled during the second half of the final stage, losing speed and handling, which prevented him from regaining key track positions. Blaney told USA,

“Lost where the track was at a bit, but overall a really good effort by our whole group, wish we could’ve finished a few spots better than that, but overall a really good weekend.”

Top Ten Finishers and Key Race Developments

Chase Briscoe finished in sixth place, followed closely by Daniel Suarez, who secured his first top-10 finish since May at Texas Motor Speedway. Completing the top ten were Bubba Wallace, Tyler Reddick, and Ross Chastain. An early setback affected Kyle Larson, who experienced brake troubles after spinning solo in turn 1, forcing him to leave the race and lose multiple laps.

Race strategies varied, with many top drivers including van Gisbergen, Chastain, and Briscoe opting for pit stops before the end of stage one to gain track advantage. Stage one was won by Chris Buescher, with Alex Bowman and Ryan Preece also scoring points as they were on the playoff cut line. Buescher, Preece, and Chase Elliott restarted near the front for stage two but were quickly overtaken by competitors with fresher tires.

The first caution came on lap 30 due to debris on the track caused by Josh Berry’s spin exiting turn 5. This pause in racing led to differing pit strategies again. Ryan Blaney capitalized by winning stage two and collecting a playoff point, finishing ahead of William Byron, Bell, AJ Allmendinger, and Brad Keselowski.

Van Gisbergen’s Strong Final Stage Clinches Win

When the race entered the last stage, Blaney had built a comfortable lead, while van Gisbergen restarted from 12th position. Demonstrating his skill and determination, Van Gisbergen quickly navigated through the field and reclaimed the lead within 10 laps. A lengthy green-flag pit cycle ensued, after which van Gisbergen maintained his lead, pulling away from competitors and securing a decisive victory by the end of the race.

Looking Forward: Next NASCAR Cup Series Stop at Richmond Raceway

Following this impressive win, the NASCAR Cup Series will make its only visit to Richmond Raceway on Saturday, August 16. Fans can watch the race live on USA Network starting at 7:30 p.m. ET. Van Gisbergen’s performance at Watkins Glen, coupled with his optimistic approach toward the playoffs, sets an exciting tone as the season continues toward its critical stages.