NASCAR News: Van Gisbergen takes the NASCAR boys to school for 4th straight

It was like taking candy from a baby once again for Shane van Gisbergen (pictured) who gave the entire NASCAR Cup Series field a proper schooling for his 4th straight road course win at Watkins Glen.

Van Gisbergen’s No. 88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet led 38 of the 90 laps in the Go Bowling at The Glen, taking the checkered flag by an 11.116-second margin. His first win at the 2.45-mile New York road course was his fourth of the season and the fifth of his Cup Series career.

Van Gisbergen has won four of the five road-course races on the Cup Series schedule this year. Only a sixth-place result at Circuit of The Americas in March has kept SVG from a season sweep of road-race events.

Christopher Bell slipped by Chris Buescher on the final lap to finish second in the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota. Buescher secured third place in the No. 17 RFK Racing Ford, ending a six-race streak without a top-five finish. Series points leader William Byron took fourth with Chase Briscoe completing the top five.

Kyle Larson, a two-time Watkins Glen winner, was knocked from contention early after a Lap 6 spin in the 90-degree first turn. Larson said his No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet was plagued by a brake issue, and the car went to the Cup Series garage for repairs. Larson finished last in the 39-car field, 15 laps down.

Winner Quotes

It’s been a long time since we’ve seen dominance like this in the road courses in the Cup Series, but SVG delivers again, four straight! Everybody said this would be where he had the least advantage, least technical road course, but incredible speed from this 88 team. Does Watkins Glen haunt you no more?

SHANE VAN GISBERGEN: Good to get that one back. Thank everyone for coming out. What an awesome race. The last stint was a bit cleared out, but the battle coming back through I had a lot of fun. Thank you to WeatherTech, Trackhouse. Car was just amazing again. To get another win, and I definitely gave that Bus Stop wall another meter on that last lap, but yeah, awesome.

You lost your mom a while back, and your dad was here today. First time you’ve seen him since Christmas. Is this one a little more personal?

SHANE VAN GISBERGEN: Oh, it’s just amazing to have him here. It’s been a very tough year for Dad. He hasn’t been able to travel, so to have him here for the next three weeks and share this with him, it’s amazing.

If I would have told you as we stood in Victory Lane at Chicago that you would be standing here four Cup Series wins on the season, a new contract in hand, would you have believed me?

SHANE VAN GISBERGEN: That’s the stuff you dream about, right? I’m just a very lucky guy to get to drive for an amazing bunch of people and just execute. The day went flawlessly, and I can’t believe it. Really enjoyed it. Thanks again, everyone.

You have 22 playoff points in the bank now, which is insane to think, before it gets re-seeded as the No. 2 seed. What can this team do in the Playoffs? That could carry you into the second round where there is another road course.

SHANE VAN GISBERGEN: Yeah, who knows, but it ain’t going to be easy, that’s for sure. The first round there’s some very difficult left-handed tracks for me, but I’m getting better at it, and I’m enjoying myself. It’s a challenge. But that’s why we’re here, and we’ll have a proper crack.

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