Watkins Glen win seals strong road course run

Shane van Gisbergen adds another road course win at Watkins Glen, drawing reactions from rivals and highlighting the strength of his road race program.

Drivers react after van Gisbergen wins fourth straight Watkins Glen road course

Shane van Gisbergen won the Go Bowling at The Glen race at Watkins Glen International, extending his streak of road or street course victories to four. He closed on the field through the final restart and pulled clear to finish ahead of Christopher Bell and Chris Buescher. The race featured strong pace from the top contenders and a tactically rich finish as teams chased stage points and track position. Michael Jordan, co-owner of 23XI Racing, was in attendance, underscoring the branding boost that comes with a running team on the Cup Series road course circuit.

The day’s results kept the focus on van Gisbergen’s road course adaptation, with Bell taking second, Buescher third, and William Byron fourth. Chase Briscoe and Ryan Blaney completed the top six, followed by Daniel Suarez, Bubba Wallace, Tyler Reddick, and Austin Dillon in the mix. Several drivers commented on the rhythm of the car and the challenges of tire wear and strategy across the stages, underscoring a race that rewarded both speed and smart execution.

Van Gisbergen’s latest win reinforces a growing narrative: a driver and team that have made road courses a core strength in a series still chasing balance between ovals and road tracks. His ability to manage pace on late restarts and to extract performance through strategic decisions points to a broader program that thrives on adaptation, not just raw speed. The result also sharpens the playoff conversation, as teams weigh the importance of stage points and stability on a course where setup and strategy can outweigh outright pace. The moment carries branding implications as well, with Jordan’s presence signaling how ownership interest in NASCAR has become part of the sport’s evolving identity.

Highlights

The road course chapter of this season remains active and unpredictable as teams adjust for Richmond and beyond.