Shane van Gisbergen is on the brink of a historic achievement, but can he conquer COTA's twists and turns? The pressure is on as he aims to match a legend's record!
Austin, Texas, gears up for a thrilling showdown! This Sunday, at the Circuit of The Americas (3:30 p.m. ET), Shane van Gisbergen has a chance to etch his name in NASCAR's history books. In 2025, he dominated the Cup Series road courses, amassing 293 points and leaving his closest rival, Christopher Bell, 73 points behind. But here's the kicker: van Gisbergen won the final five road-course races, including a stunning 16.5-second victory in Mexico City.
If he triumphs again, he'll tie Jeff Gordon's legendary record of the longest winning streak on road courses (1997-2000). And that's not all; he'd also match Chase Elliott's seven road course wins, an impressive feat for any driver.
Van Gisbergen reflects on the possibility, saying, "It would be pretty cool." He acknowledges the changing times with more races per year but is confident in his crew's abilities. And why shouldn't he be? In 2025, he didn't just win; he crushed the competition. Three of his victories had the largest margins since 1996, including a 11.1-second lead at Watkins Glen and a 15.1-second gap at Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval.
But COTA has been a different story. Despite his overall success, van Gisbergen is yet to win at this iconic track. He's come close, but victory has eluded him. In his lone O'Reilly Auto Parts Series start in 2024, he battled Austin Hill in the final laps but was ultimately defeated by Kyle Larson. And in his previous Cup starts, he's yet to find the winning formula.
"I like the place, but I haven't managed to put it all together," van Gisbergen admits. His 2024 Cup start with Kaulig Racing ended with a speeding penalty, and last year, he led early but finished sixth. However, he remains optimistic, hoping to build on his team's progress.
As van Gisbergen prepares for his 53rd Cup start, he's not just chasing a win; he's chasing immortality. Will he become the fastest driver to reach seven Cup Series victories in the modern era? The stage is set for a dramatic race, and the world of NASCAR awaits the outcome. And this is the part that will keep everyone on the edge of their seats until the checkered flag waves!
