There isn’t any questioning the unreal ranges of expertise Shane van Gisbergen possesses on street and avenue programs. And the NASCAR world has now realized what occurs if you take a three-time Supercars champion on the high of his recreation, and place him in a inventory automotive.
SVG received on debut in 2023 on the Chicago Road Course in a feat not seen in over 60 years. After going full-time with Trackhouse in 2025, he was close to unstoppable on the street and avenue programs. He received from pole in Mexico Metropolis, Chicago, and Sonoma. He began on the entrance row and received at Watkins Glen and the Charlotte Roval. He led 278 of 484 laps in these fives races — 57%.Â
So, what occurred on the Circuit of the Americas? It was SVG’s second Cup begin on the Hermann Tilke-designed Formulation 1 observe, however his first with Trackhouse. In 2024, he completed twentieth at COTA with Kaulig in a part-time schedule
In 2025, now totally immersed within the Trackhouse program, he began sixth, led 23 laps, however completed proper the place he began in the long run. Apparently, this race has additionally eluded him within the NASCAR O’Reilly Sequence as properly. Within the 2024 NOAPS race at COTA, he was very sturdy and led 20 laps after ranging from the entrance row. Nevertheless, he and Austin Hill got here to blows within the battle for the win, which allowed Kyle Larson to cross them each. SVG crossed the road second, however was despatched again to twenty seventh for a observe limits violation.Â
Shane van Gisbergen leads the sphere, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Picture by: Meg Oliphant / Getty Photos
However 2026 will certainly be his finest shot but as he goals to proceed his historic street course win streak. The Supercars ace can be operating each the O’Reilly and Cup races, and he now has a full season of Cup beneath his belt. He additionally simply earned his finest oval end but just a few days in the past, putting sixth at Atlanta. Momentum is with SVG, and that Atlanta exhibiting will put him in the popular qualifying group for the COTA race weekend.
It is also value noting that NASCAR modified the format forward of the 2025 race and is now operating a shortened model of the COTA course. However trying all through the sphere, who has the perfect shot of dethroning SVG and taking his street course crown earlier than he can examine COTA off his win checklist?
Who might problem SVG at COTA?
Previous winners within the Subsequent Gen period: Christopher Bell (2025); William Byron (2024); Tyler Reddick (2023); Ross Chastain (2022).
Finest common end at COTA:Â
1. Tyler Reddick — 4.6
2. Alex Bowman —Â 5.2
3. Ross Chastain — 5.6
Finest common begin at COTA:
1. Tyler Reddick — 2.2
2. Chase Elliott — 8.0
3. Daniel Suarez — 92.
Most laps led at COTA:
1. William Byron — 71
2. Kyle Busch — 54
3. Tyler Reddick — 53
Most poles at COTA:
1. Tyler Reddick — 2
2. William Byron – 2
3. Ryan Blaney – 1
Daytona 500 winner Tyler Reddick, No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota
Picture by: James Gilbert / Getty Photos
High favourite past SVG:Â With out query, Reddick is probably going the No. 1 menace to SVG this weekend. He simply received the Daytona 500 and Atlanta Cup races, and is making an attempt to win three consecutive races to open the 2026 season. At COTA, he leads all the discipline with a mean end of 4.6. In 5 begins, he has two poles, 4 high fives and a victory in 2023. His worst end ever at COTA is ninth, and no driver has extra high fives and high tens there than the driving force of the #45 Toyota.
The defending winner: Bell’s 2026 season is off to a tough begin, and he sits thirty first within the standings after wrecks at Daytona and Atlanta. He’s in want of a rebound, and COTA might be the right place. He is not simply the defending winner at COTA, however the one driver with three podium finishes on the street course. Actually, he is by no means completed decrease than third in any COTA race the place he really reached the checkered flag.
The good unknown: Connor Zilisch is SVG’s teammate, and a driver everybody can be watching intently this weekend. He was a star on the street programs within the O’Reilly Sequence, and even bested SVG in a few tense head-to-head fights between the 2. However that is the Cup Sequence, and Zilisch nonetheless has a steep studying curve forward of him. Even nonetheless, he can be a driver to observe, and confirmed good tempo in his Cup debut at COTA one yr in the past earlier than a mid-race wreck. Albeit very totally different automobiles, however the teenager did win the O’Reilly race at COTA final yr too, main 26 of 65 laps.
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