There was no stopping Shane van Gisbergen at Watkins Glen, even after an extra pit stop in the final 25 laps. Yet several drivers and teams were eager to put this race behind them.
Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing
Photo by: Chris Graythen – Getty Images
Shane van Gisbergen has now become Trackhouse Racing’s all-time winningest driver, surpassing Ross Chastain with his seventh career victory — all achieved on road courses. It’s remarkable how dominant the three-time Supercars champion has been over the past two years, despite the tight competition in modern NASCAR. He has lost only one of the last seven road or street course races, and even then, he finished a close second.
Sunday’s race showcased van Gisbergen’s brilliance perhaps better than ever, but he wasn’t the only one who left an impression at the Glen. Here’s a breakdown of the biggest winners and losers from Round 12 of the 2026 NASCAR Cup season in New York’s Finger Lakes region.
WINNER: Shane van Gisbergen for overcoming a 29-second deficit in 18 laps
What a drive. When van Gisbergen left the pits for the final time, he was mired in the mid-20s, a full 29.2 seconds behind race leader Ty Gibbs. Yet the Kiwi’s pace was blistering, and he caught Gibbs in just 18 laps. He went on to win by more than seven seconds, with Michael McDowell the only other driver who pitted late and managed to track down Gibbs. Van Gisbergen continues to cement his legacy as one of the greatest road racers in NASCAR history, and the win propelled him back into the Chase, moving up three positions.
LOSER: Connor Zilisch as career-best run ends with a flat tire
While celebrations filled the Trackhouse No. 97 pit, it was a different story for the No. 88 car. Connor Zilisch entered the weekend with high hopes after winning the NASCAR O’Reilly race and qualifying fifth for the Cup race. He ran inside the top five for most of the day and was second behind Gibbs on a fuel-saving strategy in the closing laps. Given the pace of van Gisbergen and McDowell, Zilisch wasn’t going to win, but he was virtually guaranteed a third- or fourth-place finish if he could make the fuel last. The rookie was chasing his first top-five and top-10 of his Cup career, but a flat tire with eight laps to go resulted in a disappointing 20th-place finish instead.
WINNER: Richard Childress Racing after their strongest race of the year
Finally, some positive news for RCR. A double top-10 at Watkins Glen made them one of just two teams (along with JGR) to place more than one car inside the top 10 at the finish. It marked the best result of the year for both Austin Dillon and Kyle Busch, finishing sixth and eighth, respectively. The only blemish: Busch was set for a top-five on the final lap, but the car sputtered just two corners from the checkered flag, costing him three spots. Still, the performance allowed both drivers to climb the standings, with Dillon jumping five positions — making him the biggest mover in points this week.
LOSER: Hendrick Motorsports for being invisible at the Glen
Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports
Photo by: Chris Graythen – Getty Images