Shane van Gisbergen dominates NASCAR O'Reilly race at Sonoma
Shane van Gisbergen drove the No. 9 JR Motorsports Chevrolet to a commanding victory at Sonoma Raceway, leading every lap to claim his sixth career NASCAR win. The triumph marked his 13th victory in the series and underscored his ability to control the competition from the green flag to the checkered flag.
Connor Zilisch, who started from the back after a mid‑race speeding penalty, fought his way to second place, showcasing resilience despite the setback. Behind him, Brent Crews secured third, while Anthony Alfredo and Parker Reztlaff rounded out the top five.
The race unfolded with a series of on‑track incidents, including early spins by Blaine Perkins and Brandon Jones, and later cautions involving Lavar Scott, Kyle Sieg, Dean Thompson and Jeb Burton. Despite the chaos, Van Gisbergen remained untouched, preserving his lead throughout the stages.
Stage results highlighted a fierce battle for position, with Alfredo taking Stage 1 and Zilisch capturing Stage 2. In the final stage, Van Gisbergen held the lead until the end, while Gray ran out of fuel on the last lap, a moment that saw NASCAR disqualify his finish after assistance from Jones.
Looking ahead, Van Gisbergen will start sixth in the next event, a position that will test his ability to defend the 2025 Sonoma Cup victory he claimed last year. His performance at Sonoma reinforces his reputation as a dominant force on road‑course layouts.
What’s next for the championship contender
The upcoming race will see Van Gisbergen paired with a mix of veteran and rookie talent, including Sam Mayer, Jesse Love and Sheldon Creed, all eyeing a shot at the title. Meanwhile, teams such as JR Motorsports and Viking Motorsports prepare their equipment for the challenge, while NASCAR continues to monitor safety protocols after the multiple spins that marked this weekend’s event.