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Sonoma, CA – In a dramatic conclusion at Sonoma Raceway, Trackhouse Racing’s Shane van Gisbergen secured his latest NASCAR Cup Series victory by a razor-thin margin of 0.357 seconds over Chase Briscoe, marking the closest finish in any of the New Zealander’s 14 career NASCAR wins. Despite the thrilling photo finish, the team’s perspective reveals a narrative of driver prowess overcoming perceived equipment limitations.
Stephen Doran, crew chief for Van Gisbergen’s No. 97 entry, revealed in post-race discussions that the team believed they were operating with a slower car in the critical final laps. The advantage, according to Doran, was solely attributable to Van Gisbergen’s exceptional driving ability.
"He (SVG) said when he went to go, he just didn’t have anything," Doran recounted on "Inside the Race." "He said, ‘I don’t know if it’s because I got in a little bit of traffic behind the 7 [Daniel Suarez] and then the 51 [Cody Ware], and just warmed my tires up more than I had before, but he was like, ‘I’m telling you, I didn’t have anything else.’"
The sentiment underscores a consistent theme for Van Gisbergen’s early NASCAR career: his capacity to extract maximum performance from machinery that may not always be at the absolute pinnacle of competitiveness. Doran was candid about the team’s reliance on their star driver. "It’s lucky we had him (SVG), or I don’t think we win that race yesterday."
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During the post-race press conference, Doran elaborated on the car’s perceived shortcomings throughout the weekend. "Yeah, thank God we have him, or we wouldn’t be here right now," Doran stated. "We did a lot of work overnight trying to get it better. I am still really not sure what it was that he didn’t like about it, but he, honestly, hated the car all weekend. I would say it was slightly better today, but still not great. Not as good as it was last year."
This assessment suggests a potential area for development for Trackhouse Racing as they aim to provide Van Gisbergen with a more consistently dominant package. While Briscoe, driving for Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR), was able to pressure Van Gisbergen relentlessly in the closing stages, it was the reigning Supercars champion who ultimately held firm. JGR, a perennial front-runner in the Cup Series, often fields cars capable of superior pace on road courses, making Briscoe’s late-race charge a testament to his own skill and the strength of his team’s program.
Van Gisbergen’s transition to NASCAR has been remarkably successful since his debut. He joined Trackhouse Racing at the beginning of the 2025 season, and under Doran’s guidance, the partnership has yielded seven Cup Series victories in just over two seasons. This consistent winning record, particularly on road courses where Van Gisbergen has demonstrated exceptional aptitude, has quickly elevated him to a championship contender.
Currently, Van Gisbergen sits 14th in the championship standings, a strong position with 36 points separating him from the Chase for the Cup cut-line. His performance at Sonoma further solidifies his standing and increases expectations for the remainder of the season.
The Sonoma Raceway event, a staple on the NASCAR calendar, is known for its challenging road course layout, demanding precision, tire management, and strategic acumen from both drivers and teams. Van Gisbergen’s ability to adapt his driving style and overcome perceived car deficiencies on such a circuit highlights his exceptional talent and versatility.
His success is not merely a statistical anomaly. Van Gisbergen’s background in global motorsport, including multiple Supercars championships in Australia and New Zealand, has equipped him with a diverse skillset applicable to various racing disciplines. His ability to quickly master the nuances of stock car racing, particularly on road courses, has been a key factor in his rapid ascent.
The dynamic between Van Gisbergen and Doran, though currently successful, will likely be scrutinized as the season progresses. A crew chief’s role is paramount in optimizing a car’s performance, and Doran’s frank admission of the car’s perceived limitations suggests an ongoing dialogue and collaborative effort to bridge any performance gaps. The challenge for Trackhouse Racing will be to translate Van Gisbergen’s raw talent into a consistently dominant car that can challenge the likes of JGR and Hendrick Motorsports week in and week out.
Looking ahead, Van Gisbergen’s performance in upcoming road course races will be particularly interesting to monitor. Tracks such as Watkins Glen International and the Circuit of the Americas have previously been stages for his impressive displays of skill. His ability to replicate his Sonoma success on these circuits, potentially with an improved car, could signal a significant shift in the championship landscape.
The NASCAR Cup Series season is a marathon, and while individual wins are crucial, sustained performance is the hallmark of a championship contender. Van Gisbergen’s early success, characterized by overcoming adversity and maximizing his driving capabilities, has undoubtedly captured the attention of the motorsport world. The coming races will reveal whether Trackhouse Racing can build upon this momentum and provide him with the machinery to contend for the ultimate prize. The narrative at Sonoma, one of a driver’s brilliance compensating for a less-than-ideal car, sets a compelling stage for the rest of the season.
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