Shane van Gisbergen Dominates NASCAR Cup Race at Sonoma
Sonoma, CA – Shane van Gisbergen continued his impressive run in the NASCAR Cup Series, clinching victory at Sonoma Raceway while maintaining a lead throughout much of the race. The Trackhouse Racing driver finished first ahead of Chase Briscoe, who secured second place after a competitive battle.
Van Gisbergen, a three-time Supercars champion, showcased his road racing prowess, remaining unchallenged despite multiple late-race restarts. Briscoe, driving the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, praised van Gisbergen’s performance, stating, “He’s just so good. He’s really raised the bar on this entire series."
Briscoe acknowledged that his car was competitive but struggled to close the gap to van Gisbergen, noting, “Every time I would run down Shane, he would just pick up the pace himself.” Despite the frustration, Briscoe expressed pride in finishing second, highlighting, “We were a second-place car all day.”
The race was marked by intense strategy on restarts and tire management, with van Gisbergen demonstrating his ability to control the pace. His victory further solidifies his status in the Cup Series, as he continues to adapt seamlessly to the NASCAR format.
Key Quotes
- Chase Briscoe: “The only opportunity I had was on the restarts… I feel like my car is extremely good, and I feel like every time I would run down Shane he would just drive back away.”
- Shane van Gisbergen: While maintaining his focus on performance, van Gisbergen reiterated the importance of teamwork and strategy in securing his victory.
With this win, van Gisbergen proves his mettle on American soil, expanding the excitement surrounding his participation in the NASCAR Cup Series.
