Shane van Gisbergen Wins Watkins Glen NASCAR Cup Race, Ties for Most Wins in 2025 Season

Shane van Gisbergen continued his remarkable rookie season in the NASCAR Cup Series with a dominant victory at the Go Bowling at The Glen on Sunday, August 10, 2025, at Watkins Glen International. The Trackhouse Racing driver secured his fourth win of the year, matching Denny Hamlin for the most Cup Series victories this season.

According to the race broadcast, van Gisbergen also became the first rookie in NASCAR Cup history to win four races in a single season — a milestone that underscores his mastery of road-course racing.

He has now won four consecutive road-course events, matching Chase Elliott’s record set between 2019 and 2020. Only Jeff Gordon, with six straight road-course wins, has achieved a longer streak.

NASCAR results today: Watkins Glen race recap

Van Gisbergen’s victory came after he previously won at Mexico City, Sonoma, and the Chicago street course earlier in the season. The only road-course race he did not win in 2025 was at Circuit of the Americas in March, where he finished sixth behind Christopher Bell.

Bell finished second in Sunday’s race, followed by defending Watkins Glen winner Chris Buescher in third. Points leader William Byron crossed the line in fourth, while Chase Briscoe rounded out the top five.

Full Top 10 Results:

1. Shane Van Gisbergen (No. 88 Chevrolet)

2. Christopher Bell (No. 20 Toyota)

3. Chris Buescher (No. 17 Ford)

4. William Byron (No. 24 Chevrolet)

5. Chase Briscoe (No. 19 Toyota)

6. Ryan Blaney (No. 12 Ford)

7. Daniel Suarez (No. 99 Chevrolet)

8. Bubba Wallace (No. 23 Toyota)

9. Tyler Reddick (No. 45 Toyota)

10. Ross Chastain (No. 1 Chevrolet)

Why this Watkins Glen win matters for the NASCAR playoffs

With the postseason starting on August 31 at Darlington Raceway, van Gisbergen’s fourth win locks him as one of the top seeds heading into the 10-race playoff schedule. This year’s playoff lineup will also feature another road-course challenge — the Bank of America ROVAL 400 on October 5 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, a hybrid road and oval circuit.

Van Gisbergen’s proven road-course skill could make him a strong favorite for that event, potentially giving him an edge over oval-focused competitors.

Key stats from the Go Bowling at The Glen 2025

• Race distance: 90 laps, 2.450-mile road course, total 220.86 miles

• Stage lengths: Stage 1 – 20 laps, Stage 2 – 20 laps, Stage 3 – 50 laps

• Previous year’s winner: Chris Buescher (2024), who passed van Gisbergen on the final lap for victory

• Start time: 2:00 p.m. ET, with pre-race coverage beginning at 1:30 p.m. ET

Expert analysis: Van Gisbergen’s road-course dominance

In just his first full Cup Series season, van Gisbergen has demonstrated unmatched precision on technical tracks. Analysts note his background in international motorsports, particularly Supercars, has given him a unique driving style suited for NASCAR’s growing slate of road and street courses.

Former Cup champion Jeff Gordon praised the rookie’s adaptability: “To come into NASCAR and immediately win on multiple road courses shows elite talent. If he keeps this pace, he could challenge my all-time record sooner than expected.”

What’s next for NASCAR Cup fans

The series now shifts focus toward the regular-season finale and the playoff opener. With multiple drivers tied for wins and points standings tightening, the Darlington race on August 31 promises to be a high-stakes battle.

Fans can also look forward to the Charlotte ROVAL in October — a race that could see van Gisbergen extend his road-course streak and make a deep playoff run.

Shane van Gisbergen’s Watkins Glen victory not only cements his place in NASCAR history as the first rookie with four Cup Series wins but also positions him as a formidable playoff contender. With unmatched consistency on road courses and momentum heading into the postseason, the NASCAR results today make it clear — van Gisbergen is the driver to watch in 2025.

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You Must Know:

Who won the NASCAR Cup race today?
Shane van Gisbergen won the 2025 Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International, marking his fourth victory of the season.

How many NASCAR Cup wins does Shane van Gisbergen have in 2025?
He has four wins this season, tying Denny Hamlin for the most in the Cup Series this year.

What is Shane van Gisbergen’s road-course win streak?
He has won four consecutive road-course races, tying Chase Elliott for second-most all time.

When do the NASCAR Cup playoffs start in 2025?
The playoffs begin August 31, 2025, at Darlington Raceway.

Which NASCAR driver holds the record for most consecutive road-course wins?
Jeff Gordon holds the record with six straight road-course victories.