is now the winningest driver in Trackhouse Racing historical past, surpassing along with his seventh profession win — all on street programs.
It is actually unimaginable to see simply how unbeatable the three-time Supercars champion has been over the previous two years, even with how shut the sector is in fashionable NASCAR. He has solely final one of many final seven street/road course races, and even then, he completed an in depth second.
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Sunday’s race was maybe the very best instance of simply how good Van Gisbergen is, however he wasn’t the one one who impressed us on the Glen. This is a have a look at the most important winners and losers from Spherical 12 of the 2026 NASCAR Cup season from the Finger Lakes area of New York.
WINNER: Shane van Gisbergen for making up 29 seconds in 18 laps
Watch: SVG on profitable in No. 97 for first time: ‘What a race automotive’
What. A. Drive. When SVG exited the pits for the final time, he was operating within the mid-20s, a full 29.2 seconds behind race chief . Nonetheless, the Kiwi’s tempo was fast, and he ran Gibbs down in simply 18 laps. He went on to win the race by over seven seconds, and Michael McDowell was the one different driver who additionally pitted that managed to catch Gibbs by the top. Van Gisbergen continues to claim himself as one of many biggest street racers in NASCAR historical past, and the win vaulted him again contained in the Chase, gaining three positions.
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Watch: Zilisch annoyed after late tire challenge at The Glen
Whereas it was all celebrations for the Trackhouse No. 97, it was the alternative for the Trackhouse No. 88 automotive. Connor Zilisch had excessive hopes after profitable the NASCAR O’Reilly race and qualifying fifth for the Cup race. He ran inside the highest 5 for many of the day, and was operating second to Gibbs on the fuel-saving technique within the closing laps. Because of the tempo of SVG and McDowell, he wasn’t going to win, however Zilisch was just about assured to complete third or fourth if he made the gas final. The rookie driver was searching for the primary prime 5 and prime ten of his Cup profession, however a flat tire with eight laps to go left him with a disappointing twentieth place end as an alternative.
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Watch: Dillon: Technique helped safe P6 Watkins Glen end
Lastly, one thing optimistic for RCR. A double prime ten at Watkins Glen, and one in every of simply two groups to get a couple of automotive inside the highest ten on the finish of the race (the opposite being JGR). It was the very best end of the yr for each and , ending sixth and eighth, respectively. The one blight was the truth that Busch was set for a prime 5 end on the ultimate lap, however the automotive sputtered simply two corners away from the end line, costing him three spots. Even nonetheless, the consequence allowed each drivers to climb up the standings, and Dillon jumped 5 positions. That makes him the most important mover within the factors this week.
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Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports
Whereas Trackhouse gained, Spire ran sturdy, and RCR loved their greatest day but, the place was the flagship Chevrolet staff? The Hendrick Motorsports squad was nowhere all weekend. was their prime qualifier in thirteenth, and none of their drivers have been components on race day. It was the worst street course consequence for HMS in over 20 years, with main the best way in twenty third. in twenty fourth, twenty fifth, and William Byron thirty sixth after a mid-race crash. All misplaced floor within the standings, and Byron fell exterior the highest ten.
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WINNER: for being the very best of the remainder
Watch: McDowell: ‘Not fairly sufficient’ to run SVG down
Behind SVG, the very best of the remainder was the motive force of the No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet. McDowell began second and completed second, proving he was clearly the strongest driver not named Van Gisbergen at The Glen. He was additionally the one driver who pitted that managed to achieve Gibbs by the top, ending a distant second to the Trackhouse driver. SVG was the star, however McDowell deserves some reward too, particularly after combating again to the entrance after some questionable Stage 2 technique that left him deep within the area.
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LOSER: finishes final, persevering with thirtieth+ streakJoey Logano, Workforce Penske
Joey Logano, Workforce Penske
The three-time Cup Collection champion is having a fully horrendous time proper now. His greatest end over the previous 4 races is thirtieth and he’s cratering down the standings. On the Glen, he certified sturdy and virtually gained Stage 1 after staying out, nevertheless it all went downhill from there. He minimize a tire mid-race, and finally completed in final place. Logano is now 18th in factors, and one other dangerous consequence within the Coke 600 might probably drop him exterior the highest 20.
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WINNER: NASCAR’s name to make use of new tire packs as monitor limits appeared to workWatkins Glen new tire packs
Watkins Glen new tire packs
Many eyebrows have been raised upon seeing the brand new tire packs lining the monitor in Flip 1 and the Carousel, however they really labored out surprisingly effectively. The brand new technique of implementing monitor limits did simply that, and whereas vehicles did hit them and endure harm, it wasn’t absolute carnage as some had predicted. Holding vehicles on the racing floor additionally made for some extra dramatic passes by way of Flip 1, and stored vehicles from harmful conditions on the outskirts of the monitor on the exit of the Carousel with the best way the guardrail is positioned there.
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Sadly, NASCAR on FOX’s final points-paying race wasn’t their greatest. FOX has made some enhancements in 2026, however the TV protection struggled to maintain up with the street course motion on Sunday. They caught the tail-end of a number of incidents whereas lacking others, and barely went again to point out replays to clarify what occurred. A full listing will be present in we posted on Monday morning. There are a number of story strains unfolding round a street course, however TV struggled to present them correct focus on the Glen. Nonetheless, that digicam work for the flying tent that precipitated a weird mid-race warning was 10/10.
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