Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Erik Jones across Nascar.
Shane van Gisbergen’s improving performance on oval tracks, his crew chief’s emphasis on qualifying, and NASCAR’s return to Chicagoland Speedway set the stage for a pivotal playoff battle.
Shane van Gisbergen’s recent progress on NASCAR’s oval circuits has positioned him within striking distance of the playoffs, even as the series prepares to revisit Chicagoland Speedway after a seven‑year hiatus.
Denny Hamlin moves to the top of the NASCAR Cup Series standings after Tyler Reddick’s power‑steering failure, while Trackhouse Racing climbs and the next race looms at Chicagoland.
The opening stage of the NASCAR In-Season Challenge has delivered surprising results, with lower‑seeded drivers pulling off key victories and the schedule moving toward July finals.
Shane van Gisbergen is climbing the NASCAR Cup Series standings on oval tracks, securing his first top‑five finish at Nashville and aiming for a Chase spot as the series revives its presence at Chicagoland Speedway.
Shane van Gisbergen's recent top‑five finish at Nashville and the series' return to Chicagoland Speedway set the stage for a tight playoff battle.
Shane van Gisbergen’s transition to NASCAR’s oval circuit is gaining momentum, with the New Zealander aiming to break into the playoffs. Meanwhile, Kyle Larson prepares for a comeback at a refurbished Chicagoland Speedway, and the Chase standings remain razor‑thin.
Shane van Gisbergen secured his eighth NASCAR Cup victory at Sonoma Raceway, tying Tony Stewart on the all‑time road‑course wins list, while Tyler Reddick’s championship lead evaporated due to a power‑steering failure. Rookie Connor Zilisch broke into the top ten, Ty Gibbs swept both stages and finished third, and Alex Bowman upset the top seed in the In‑Season Challenge.
A power‑steering failure forced Tyler Reddick to finish 36th at Sonoma, allowing Denny Hamlin to move into the points lead by a single point.
A power‑steering failure forced Tyler Reddick to finish 36th at Sonoma, allowing Denny Hamlin to seize the championship lead by a single point. The reshuffling also lifts Trackhouse and sees Erik Jones exit the Chase, setting the stage for the upcoming eero 400 at Chicagoland Speedway.
A dramatic Toyota / Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway saw Denny Hamlin climb to the top of the points standings, while Tyler Reddick's mechanical woes dropped him to 36th. Shane Van Gisbergen's strong run lifted Trackhouse Racing, and Erik Jones became the first driver officially out of contention.
After a strong start that secured a provisional playoff berth, Erik Jones' 23rd‑place finish at Sonoma dropped him below the cutoff, while Ryan Preece and Austin Cindric clinched the last spots. Shane van Gisbergen's victory propelled him to 14th, leaving Jones 12 points behind Cindric with eight races left.
The opening round of the NASCAR in‑season challenge saw the highest‑seeded driver, Tyler Reddick, knocked out by Alex Bowman, while Denny Hamlin advanced despite damage. Only two top‑10 seeds were eliminated, setting the stage for a competitive second round.
Shane van Gisbergen led 75 laps and held off Chase Briscoe to claim victory in the Toyota / Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway, with Ty Gibbs and Christopher Bell rounding out the top finishers.
Shane van Gisbergen’s second consecutive win at Sonoma reshapes the Cup championship picture as the series heads to Chicagoland
Shane van Gisbergen won the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway, with Chase Briscoe, Ty Biggs and Kyle Larson rounding out the top three. The series now moves to Chicagoland Speedway on July 5 and Atlanta's Echopark Speedway on July 12.
Shane van Gisbergen swept the weekend at Sonoma, securing his second victory of the 2026 season while edging toward a historic nine‑win road‑course tally.
Chase Briscoe finished runner‑up in a dramatic duel with Shane van Gisbergen, while teammates Ty Gibbs and Christopher Bell secured top‑five spots and Denny Hamlin seized the championship points lead.
After 18 races, Denny Hamlin leads the championship by a point, as Tyler Reddick’s race ends in mechanical trouble and Shane van Gisbergen moves up the standings.
Shane van Gisbergen wins his second 2026 NASCAR Cup race at Sonoma, edging Chase Briscoe in a dramatic finish, while Ty Gibbs sweeps both stages and Denny Hamlin takes the points lead.
Shane van Gisbergen dominated the 2026 Sonoma road race, leading 74 laps and securing his second win of the season. The performance placed him alongside Tony Stewart in the record books and highlighted a competitive field of drivers.
Shane van Gisbergen clinches the Toyota / Save Mart 350 at Sonoma, while Ty Gibbs wins both stages and Denny Hamlin tops the revised championship standings.
The latest NASCAR Cup Series standings reflect a dramatic shift after Sunday's Sonoma race, with Hamlin leading and the Chase cutline narrowing around 16 drivers.
Shane van Gisbergen won the NASCAR race at Sonoma Raceway, leading 75 laps and edging out Chase Briscoe. Ty Gibbs finished third with 54 points and Christopher Bell fifth with 50 points.