SVG AT TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY WÜRTH 400 PRESENTED BY LIQUI MOLY

Shane van Gisbergen (SVG) secured a resilient 17th-place finish in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway. Following a difficult outing at Talladega just a week prior, van Gisbergen demonstrated steady improvement on the 1.5-mile oval, navigating late-race restarts to claim his second consecutive top-20 finish in the No. 97 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet.

The weekend began on “Struggle Street” for the Kiwi, who qualified 30th after admitting to mistakes during his timed laps. However, the No. 97 team utilized the long green-flag runs of the race to dial in the car’s balance. SVG noted post-race that the car was significantly more competitive during the race than it had been on Saturday, though he spent much of the day battling the track’s notorious bumps.

For much of the final stage, van Gisbergen was holding steady in the 16th position. When Corey Heim spun with just 11 laps to go, bringing out the seventh caution of the day, SVG was forced to make a quick decision. He elected to pit for fresh tires, which dropped him to 19th for the final four-lap shootout.

On the final restart, SVG was able to capitalize on his fresher rubber. He gained two positions in the closing moments to cross the line in 17th. He finished just behind his Trackhouse teammate, Connor Zilisch, who took 16th, but well ahead of teammate Ross Chastain, who struggled to a 26th-place result.

Van Gisbergen expressed cautious optimism over the radio after the checkered flag, calling it a “decent result” after a string of challenging weeks. His ability to stay on the lead lap and avoid the pit-road chaos that sidelined veterans like Joey Logano and Christopher Bell highlights his growing maturity and spatial awareness in the Cup Series.

Next Stop: The NASCAR Cup Series heads to Watkins Glen International next Sunday, where van Gisbergen will enter as a heavy favorite given his legendary prowess on road courses, and triple heading across all three NASCAR classes.

Photos: SVG FB

Trackhouse Racing Report:

• Van Gisbergen started 30th for the 400 mile race and struggled with the overall handling of his SuperFile Chevrolet, but was able to maintain position until the first pit cycle started. During the long run of the first stage, van Gisbergen briefly fell off the lead lap but a caution flew on lap 68 and granted van Gisbergen his lap back. He finished Stage 1, 22nd. The No. 97 team opted to stay out for track position at the stage break and van Gisbergen started Stage 2, 14th. Van Gisbergen continued to struggle with the handling of his Chevrolet and dropped back to the 21st position, before pitting when the lap 92 caution flew. Van Gisbergen broke into the top-20 on lap 109 and ran there a majority of Stage 2 before falling to 22nd. He ultimately finished the stage 19th in a one lap shootout. In the final stage, van Gisbergen started 17th and battled in position until the No. 97 team opted to pit on lap 213. Van Gisbergen re-entered the field 22nd and worked his way up to 15th. Van Gisbergen took the checkered flag 17th.

“We struggled in qualifying, so we had to make up for that. That was my fault yesterday. The No. 97 SuperFile Chevrolet was much better today, but I just kept hitting the bumps and having big moments. It kind of limited us to the bottom lane. It was a good points day. We’ve struggled the last four or five weeks in a row, so it’s good to get a decent result, said SVG.”

SUBSCRIBE TO VELOCITY MAGAZINE 

For all our news keep your eyes peeled on the Velocity Magazine website and social media, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for our daily updates and to get the latest edition of our glossy magazine subscribe here from just $55 for 12 months subscription.

GET OUR LATEST ISSUE NUMBER 55 HERE