Shane van Gisbergen has been on a tear in NASCAR’s road‑course division, capturing six victories in his last seven such events and sharing the record for the most road‑course wins among active Cup Series drivers with Chase Elliott.
A Controversial Favorite
Despite the buzz that crowns him the clear favorite for the upcoming race at Naval Base Coronado, the New Zealand‑born driver pushes back against that narrative, arguing that the label undermines the spirit of competition and ignores the sport’s inherent unpredictability.
He points to the deep field of rivals, including Elliott, Tyler Reddick and Connor Zilisch, each of whom have proven capable of shaking up the order on twisty layouts. Reddick, for instance, already boasts four road‑and‑street victories and a 2026 win at the Circuit of the Americas, while Zilisch is regarded as a danger whenever NASCAR ventures beyond a simple left turn.
Van Gisbergen acknowledges that the competition is fierce and that a multitude of variables — from tire wear to weather — can flip the script in an instant. Rather than proclaim himself an underdog, he simply refuses to assume the outcome is already decided.
The Hendrick Motorsports driver, who also benefits from the technical support of his team, emphasizes that respect for his competitors is as important as the pursuit of victory.