Go Bowling at The Glen saw another dominant road course performance from Shane van Gisbergen on Sunday as the Trackhouse Racing driver captured his second straight victory at Watkins Glen International.
Van Gisbergen started from the pole and led the opening 18 laps before making his first pit stop. Strategy and caution flags later shuffled the field, including an unusual yellow flag on lap 41 after a camping tent blew onto the racetrack near the Esses during a strong gust of wind.
After regaining the lead on lap 47, Van Gisbergen built a six-second advantage before making a green-flag pit stop on lap 76. When he returned to the track, he trailed Ty Gibbs and Connor Zilisch by 29 seconds.
Van Gisbergen quickly closed the gap as both drivers ahead battled older tires and fuel concerns. Zilisch fell back after suffering a flat tire, and one lap later Van Gisbergen moved past Gibbs with seven laps remaining to secure the victory.
“It’s the best feeling you can get when you have a tire advantage and an awesome car,” Van Gisbergen said after the race. “I was just catching everyone. Some people were nice and laying over, which is cool, and the people that didn’t, you had to put good moves on. That’s the most fun.”
He added that once the time gap became smaller than the number of laps remaining, he knew he had a chance to complete the comeback.
Michael McDowell finished second, while Gibbs crossed the line in third. Chase Briscoe and Tyler Reddick rounded out the top five.
Officials also announced that the NASCAR race weekend at Watkins Glen in 2027 will move to September.
Story by Rick Hughey, Finger Lakes Daily News
