Shane van Gisbergen has once again proven that he is not just a guest star in NASCAR’s ranks but a genuine threat whenever he straps into a stock car. This past weekend in Chicago, van Gisbergen pulled off an impressive sweep, winning both the Xfinity Series race and the Cup Series race on the tight, rain-slicked streets of the Windy City. His Chicago performance marks another milestone in the Kiwi driver’s growing legend and sets the stage for what’s next as the NASCAR circus heads west to the rolling hills and wine country of Sonoma Raceway.
Van Gisbergen’s weekend began with high expectations. After shocking the NASCAR world with a historic win in last year’s Chicago Street Race—becoming the first driver in over 60 years to win his Cup Series debut—SVG returned with more confidence and more experience on American ovals and road courses alike. Driving for Kaulig Racing in the Xfinity Series and Trackhouse Racing in the Cup Series, van Gisbergen showed just how versatile and fearless he can be.
The Xfinity race on Saturday gave fans an early glimpse of his dominance. Despite several caution flags, changing weather conditions, and fierce competition from series regulars like Cole Custer and Justin Allgaier, van Gisbergen kept his composure through each restart. His precision braking and smooth throttle work—skills honed through years of Supercars competition—paid off as he navigated the wet patches that caught out other drivers. When the checkered flag waved, van Gisbergen had claimed his first Xfinity win on a street course, further expanding his NASCAR résumé.
On Sunday, the real test awaited him in the Cup Series main event. The Chicago Street Race remains one of NASCAR’s most unique additions to its calendar: a temporary 2.2-mile circuit through Grant Park, with tight corners, concrete barriers, and a surface that can change grip levels in an instant, especially when the unpredictable Midwest summer weather rolls in. True to form, rain showers turned the race into a strategy and survival contest. Several veterans, including Chase Elliott and Tyler Reddick, looked strong early, but van Gisbergen’s mastery in tricky conditions set him apart yet again.
His daring moves through traffic, ability to conserve his tires, and unshakable patience paid dividends when it mattered most. A late-race restart gave him the chance to pounce, and he made it stick—holding off Christopher Bell and Kyle Larson to take the win. With the Chicago sweep, van Gisbergen sent a clear message: his transition from Australian Supercars to NASCAR is not just a novelty—it’s a real evolution, and his future in the series looks brighter with every lap.
While van Gisbergen celebrates his Chicago triumphs, the rest of the Cup field must quickly shift focus to Sonoma Raceway, where road course specialists often shine. Sonoma, a 1.99-mile track nestled in California’s wine country, is one of NASCAR’s most beloved non-oval stops. Unlike Chicago’s flat, urban layout, Sonoma features significant elevation changes, sweeping esses, tight hairpins, and off-camber corners that reward drivers who can balance aggression with finesse.
For van Gisbergen, Sonoma represents another prime opportunity. His road racing background gives him a natural advantage on courses like this, and his Trackhouse Racing team—co-owned by Justin Marks and entertainer Pitbull—has shown a knack for road course success. Last year, Trackhouse’s Ross Chastain and Daniel Suárez both contended strongly at Sonoma, and with van Gisbergen in the mix, they could be looking at another top-tier finish or even a win.
Of course, other road course aces will have plenty to say about that. Defending Sonoma winner Martin Truex Jr. is always a threat on this track, and so are veterans like Chase Elliott, who still seeks to rebound from an up-and-down season, and Kyle Larson, whose raw speed often makes him a favorite on technical circuits. Tyler Reddick, another new-generation road course specialist, can’t be counted out either.
Beyond individual performances, the back-to-back road course stretch also highlights NASCAR’s growing embrace of diverse racing formats. For decades, NASCAR was defined by high-speed ovals, but the series’ expansion into street courses, purpose-built road courses, and even dirt racing has attracted new fans and offered fresh challenges for drivers and teams alike.
As the haulers roll west toward Sonoma, all eyes will be on whether van Gisbergen can make it three wins in a row and further shake up the points standings. His success story adds a layer of intrigue to an already dramatic NASCAR season, blending international talent with American stock car tradition.
One thing is certain: with the Kiwi driver carving out his place in NASCAR lore, the upcoming race in Sonoma promises more must-watch moments as the season charges deeper into summer. If Chicago was any indication, Shane van Gisbergen isn’t done making history yet—and the rest o
f the field knows it.
