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Shane van Gisbergen Wins Watkins Glen, Clinches Playoff Spot

5/11/2026

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Summary

van Gisbergen Wins

Shane van Gisbergen won the NASCAR Cup Series Go Bowling at The Glen on May 10, 2026, beating Michael McDowell by 7.288 seconds.
After a green-flag pit stop with 24 laps left, he fell to 26th, 29 seconds behind Ty Gibbs, then reclaimed the lead in 17 laps.
The victory, his seventh Cup win and second straight at Watkins Glen, gave him 68 points, moving him to 16th and six points ahead of Chase Briscoe for the Chase-playoff spot.

Summary

van Gisbergen Victory

Shane van Gisbergen won Trackhouse Racing’s 2026 Cup race at Watkins Glen, moving the team to 16th in standings.
Crew chief Stephen Doran pitted van Gisbergen with 24 laps left, a risky move that proved pivotal.
It was Chevrolet’s only Cup win at the Finger Lakes region in eight visits, highlighting road-course strength.
A stray tent blew onto the track in the final stage, causing a caution that briefly reshuffled the field.

History

Historical Context

Since NASCAR reinstated its Cup road race at Watkins Glen in 1986, the 1998 Bud at The Glen saw Jeff Gordon of Hendrick Motorsports claim his 36th career win—passing on lap 90 of the 2.45-mile, 90-lap event. In 2026, Shane van Gisbergen captured the same race for Trackhouse Racing, using Stephen Doran’s late-pit strategy, underscoring the track’s enduring road-course appeal.

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van Gisbergen Wins

Shane van Gisbergen won the NASCAR Cup Series Go Bowling at The Glen on May 10, 2026, beating Michael McDowell by 7.288 seconds.
After a green-flag pit stop with 24 laps left, he fell to 26th, 29 seconds behind Ty Gibbs, then reclaimed the lead in 17 laps.
The victory, his seventh Cup win and second straight at Watkins Glen, gave him 68 points, moving him to 16th and six points ahead of Chase Briscoe for the Chase-playoff spot.

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